This archive report was first published on 15 November 2019.
ICPD25 Ends with Resolve to Eradicate Harmful Practices on Girls and Women ¶
On Thursday, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) came to a close with a strong resolve to eradicate vices that have slowed down women and girls' empowerment across the globe.
Hosted in Nairobi under the theme 'Accelerating the Promise,' the conference attracted over 9,500 participants from more than 170 countries.
Deputy President William Ruto emphasized the importance of zero unmet family planning needs, zero preventable maternal deaths, and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices against women, girls, and the youth.
Speaking at the closing ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Dr. Ruto stated that Kenya would continue to work hard to protect the rights of women and girls and promote their empowerment programs.
He noted that under the leadership of President Uhuru Kenyatta, the country would prioritize actions that realize women's empowerment.
Dr. Ruto expressed his encouragement by the consensus that advancing women's rights and well-being is crucial in unlocking social power for positive economic and political transformation.
He highlighted the importance of investing in women and girls, which yields tremendous dividends in reducing inequality, poverty, and unemployment, and generating continuous economic growth.
Dr. Ruto singled out access to secondary and tertiary education, rapid reduction in maternal deaths, and the total elimination of FGM and child marriages as key areas the government is prioritizing.
He called for concerted effort in the fight against gender-based violence, maternal deaths, female genital mutilation, early marriage, and unemployment.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Executive Director Natalia Kanem praised Kenya for its resolve to eradicate FGM within the next 10 years.
Ms. Kanem announced that the UNFPA would establish a new high commission to drive the implementation of the commitments made during the Nairobi Summit.
Ms. Karen Elman from Denmark expressed optimism that the Nairobi Summit would be a milestone in women's empowerment across the globe.
