Despite the global Covid-19 crisis, governments support the health and rights of women and girls, one year after the historic summit

New York – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weigh heavily on the health and economies of countries around the world, governments, non-governmental organizations, international financial institutions and the private sector are strengthening political, financial and in-kind support for health and safety programs. protect the rights of women and girls in developing countries.

A year ago, at the Nairobi summit on ICPD25, the world came together to put an end to the preventable death of mothers, the unmet need for contraception and gender-based violence and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation by 2030. that summit, more than 8,000 delegates from 170 countries made 1,250 financial and other commitments in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Today, UNFPA, the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health in the United Nations, reports that major donor governments are already delivering significantly the amounts they promised in Nairobi. And some even surpass what they promised, showing their steadfast commitment to the rights of women and girls at the time most needed.

“The commitments made in Nairobi are now more critical than ever. COVID-19 did not dampen our ambition, but only sharpened our focus and determination,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA. “I am delighted to see so many partners from government, the private sector and civil society taking bold steps to uphold our joint efforts and keep our promises to women and girls. As long as we stand together, we will prevail. get.”

Civil society, the private sector, academia and others have come forward on an unprecedented scale, pledging more than $ 8 billion to achieve zero preventable deaths to mothers by 2030, no need for family planning and no gender-based violence and harmful practices. Governments have also announced important commitments, including:

GBP 425 million (approximately USD 552 million) from the United Kingdom to UNFPA to increase the supply of contraceptives

More than 11 billion NOK (approximately 1.2 billion USD) from Norway for sexual and reproductive health and rights in development and humanitarian environment between 2019 and 2025

EUR 20 million (approximately USD 23 million) from Germany for sexual and reproductive health and rights, followed by EUR 30 million (approximately USD 35 million) for UNFPA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

EUR 29 million (approximately USD 34 million) from the EU for sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescents

DKK 100 million (approximately USD 16 million) from Denmark to UNFPA for sexual and reproductive health

In September 2020, UNFPA set up a High Level Commission to ensure that all commitments made during the summit remain on track, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the chairmanship of Jakaya Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, and Michaƫlle Jean, former Governor-General of Canada, the Commission will make recommendations so that the momentum created in Nairobi continues into a world of rights and choices for everyone.

“We will never lose sight of the world we are fighting for – one of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all,” Dr Kanem concluded.

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