This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
As the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) came to a close in Nairobi, it was clear that the event had sparked intense emotions and debates. The conference, which was held every 25 years, brought together thousands of delegates from around the world to discuss pressing issues affecting global populations.
However, the conference was not without controversy. The Kenyan government, as well as some churches and conservative groups, expressed opposition to certain topics that were slated for discussion, including reproductive health, abortion, and LGBTQI rights. The President and his deputy even found common ground in their disapproval of these matters.
But what was lost in the noise was the fact that the conference was not just about these contentious issues. In fact, the ICPD was a platform for discussing and addressing some of the most critical challenges facing humanity, including maternal deaths, HIV infection, gender-based violence, child marriages, and female genital mutilation.
Looking back at the last ICPD conference held in Cairo in 1994, it's striking to see how far we've come. The world was grappling with the spread of HIV, and thousands were dying in the Rwandan genocide. Yet, despite these challenges, the conference in Cairo laid the groundwork for progress in areas such as maternal care, access to family planning, and education for girls.
Fast forward to today, and it's clear that the ICPD has made a significant impact. HIV cases have decreased, more people have access to ARVs, and there's been a decline in child marriages and gender-based violence. These are tangible results of the progress made in the past 25 years.
So, what's the takeaway from the recent ICPD conference in Nairobi? It's that the discussion went beyond abortion and birth control. It was about addressing the complex issues that affect us all, and working towards a better future for humanity.
Nerima Wako-Ojiwa is the executive director of Siasa Place. You can follow her on Twitter at @NerimaW.
