This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
Population Conference Was More Than Abortion, Birth Control ¶
November 19, 2019
The phrase 'don't throw out the baby with the bath water' is a popular English idiom that warns against discarding something valuable in the process of getting rid of something unwanted. This phrase came to mind as I reflected on the recent International Conference on Population and Development held in Nairobi.
The conference, which was attended by thousands of delegates from around the world, sparked controversy due to discussions on reproductive health and LGBTQI rights. However, the conference was about more than just these topics. It was an opportunity to revisit and build on the progress made in the past 25 years, since the last conference was held in Cairo in 1994.
At the Cairo conference, the big topics discussed included maternal deaths, reducing HIV infection, gender-based violence, child marriages, and female genital mutilation. The conference also focused on giving more women access to family planning. Fast forward to today, and we see that there has been progress in these areas. HIV cases have decreased, more girls are in school, child marriages are fewer, maternal care has improved, and more cases of gender violence are reported.
However, some groups, including churches and conservative organizations, opposed the conference, claiming it was only about abortion and homosexuality. They failed to mention the other important topics that were discussed. The hypocrisy in some of the churches that led the protests is glaring, as they shun teenage mothers and single mothers in their places of worship.
It is time for us to have open and honest discussions about family and reproductive health. These are the spaces where such matters should be discussed, as religion is an important part of our lives. The conference was an opportunity to build on the progress made in the past 25 years and to continue working towards a better future for all.
