Policy and law makers must work to empower women to achieve their individual reproductive goals
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Women’s bodies should not be held captive to choices made by governments or individuals, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said, as it launched its Flagship State of the World’s Population Report for 2023.
Instead of instituting these measures, policy and law makers must work to empower women to achieve their individual reproductive goals.
Speaking to UN News, Marielle Sander, the Fund’s Resident Representative in Papua New Guinea, explained why the current global population of 8 billion marks an opportunity for a broader conversation on how to make reproductive choices simpler for families and women.
Marielle Sander said, the UNFPA State of the World Population Report for 2023 addresses the question of the 8 billion globally. “Many countries are having different reactions because some are facing a decline in fertility whereas others are worried about their population.”
“We see this as an excellent opportunity to have that conversation and to reassure countries that there need not be a knee-jerk reaction. We need to look at evidence and data to assure everyone that there’s room for everyone, but we need to plan better,” she said.
“That is part of the solution. Historically speaking, every time countries have tried to enforce a policy related to fertility, there has been a backlash. So, the solution to our problem is always to look at how to make choices simpler, for families, for women,” she said and added, “The worst thing we can do is decide that women should have no control over their reproductive rights.”
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Courtesy: UN News (Posted on April 19, 2023)
