This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
November 12, 2019, marked the beginning of the Nairobi Summit: ICPD25, a gathering of thousands of people in Nairobi, Kenya. Co-convened by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the governments of Kenya and Denmark, this event celebrates the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
Over the past 25 years, nations have made significant progress in reducing maternal death rates, and women have gained greater access to education, healthcare, and the economy. However, despite these advancements, significant challenges remain before women enjoy the same status as men.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's commitment to ending female genital mutilation by 2022 is commendable. Nevertheless, the reality is that pro-abortion groups are using the Nairobi Summit as a platform to further their agenda, attempting to rewrite the ICPD's Programme of Action language agreed upon by 179 governments in 1994.
These groups are promoting the term 'Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)' as if it were equivalent to the original consensus terms of 'sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.' However, 'sexual rights' is a concept undefined by intergovernmental consensus.
In response to these concerns, a diverse group of faith-based and civil society organizations is hosting a parallel event to bring more diversity of opinion into the conversation. UN organizations should not overstep their mandates and undermine the hard-fought inter-governmental consensus of governments.
As President Donald Trump stated at the UN General Assembly in September, 'We are aware that many United Nations projects have attempted to assert a global right to taxpayer-funded abortion on demand, right up until the moment of delivery.' He emphasized that global bureaucrats have no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to protect innocent life.
Let us remember that the consensus reached 25 years ago to respect the various religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds must continue throughout this week and in the years ahead as we work towards shared goals of health, prosperity, and opportunity for all people.
Mr. Kyle McCarter, the US Ambassador to Kenya, is a strong advocate for the values of respect and diversity.
