MUSCAT: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) praised the Arab countries that prioritise women and girls in their development efforts which have made significant progress in the amid emerging megatrends in the recent past.
Launching the 2024 State of World Population report commemorating the International Population Day in the presence of the media both online and offline, Laila Baker, UNFPA Arab states Regional Director at the UNFPA Arab States Regional office in Cairo, said that in the Arab region, countries that prioritise women and girls in their development efforts have made significant progress in the face of polycrisis and emerging megatrends.
"Various Indicators such as life expectancy and maternal mortality have improved, while women enjoy greater autonomy and decision-making power. Family planning services and modern contraceptives have become more accessible, leading to a decrease in teenage pregnancy,” she said.
Entitled “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights”, the State of World Population report is UNFPA’s annual flagship publication published yearly since 1978. The year 2024 marks the thirtieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD),
A Regional Media Declaration in support of the ICPD Programme of Action was also unveiled. The declaration was unanimously adopted by the members of the Regional ICDP Media Coalition to bolster efforts aimed at implementing the 1994 ICPD Programme of Action and the 2013 Cairo Declaration.
The members of the Coalition recommitted themselves to upholding various international agreements, including the ICPD Programme of Action, the Cairo Declaration, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and others. These agreements recognise the fundamental rights to dignity, equality, sexual and reproductive health, reproductive rights, and the autonomy of every woman and girl to make informed decisions about their lives in all contexts: development, peacebuilding process, and different humanitarian settings.
This year’s report also includes contributions from several partners namely the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the UN Human Rights Office, and the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and more.
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