April 10th marked the global launch of UNFPA’s 2019 State of World Population Report Unfinished Business: the pursuit of rights for all. Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights was proud to host a reception to mark the launch of the report and to celebrate Canada’s commitment in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, in partnership with the Government of Canada and with the support of the Future Planning Initiative.
This is the fourth year that Action Canada has launched the UNFPA State of World Population report in formal partnership with the Government of Canada and the third year we have had the pleasure of a keynote address from the Minister of International Development.
According to the report, which reviews progress and challenges over the last 50 years, while more people have access to information and services to decide if, when, and how many children to have, a lot remains to be done. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are still challenged around the world.
Canada has come a long way in a short amount of time and has positioned itself as a champion for women and girls and gender equality, especially in the face of increasing global backlash such as the recent U.S expansion of the Global Gag Rule. The launch of the 2019 State of World Population Report was an opportunity to highlight Canada’s leadership in defending sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world.
Canada’s increased financial and political support to protect the rights of women, girls, and all people affected by the global backlash on sexual and reproductive rights is needed now more than ever.
Along with our partners in the Future Planning Initiative, Action Canada is calling on Canada to invest a minimum of $500M per year for the most neglected and stigmatized areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights within what is being proposed as the “Thrive Initiative,” a renewed commitment of $1.4B to global health beginning in 2020 over 10 years.
25 years after the landmark International Conference on Population and Development, 50 years after the founding of the UNFPA, and in the lead-up to Women Deliver 2019, the pursuit for rights and choices must continue until they are a reality for all. And Action Canada will continue to be there along the way.