World Population Day 2020: Focus on the health and rights of women and girls
World Population Day 2020 focuses on multiple challenges – health, economic and social – that people around the world face in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Human rights cannot be quarantined,” said the United Nations agency, working on world population issues, before World Population Day. Reproductive health, family planning and mental health – among other issues – have taken a back seat as medical resources have been depleted due to the pandemic.
The United Nations Development Program recommended the establishment of World Population Day in 1989, inspired by the public interest and awareness created by the “Five Billion Day” on July 11, 1987, when the world‘s population reaches 5 billion inhabitants.
Human rights cannot be quarantined!
This #WorldPopulationDay, look how @UNFPA protects the rights of millions of people affected by the # COVID-19[FEMALE[FEMININE pandemic: https://t.co/hswtETDidx# StandUp4HumanRightspic.twitter.com/9XbBptPQ83
– UNFPA (@UNFPA) July 10, 2020
“The COVID-19 pandemic affects everyone, everywhere, but it does not affect everyone equally. It exacerbates existing inequalities and vulnerabilities, especially for women and girls,” said the Secretary General of the Nations. United, Antonio Guterres, in his speech. declaration on the occasion of World Population Day.
“Each year, millions of girls are subjected to practices that harm them physically and emotionally, depriving them of their right to reach their full potential. According to the State of the World Population 2020, published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), more than 4 million girls will be subjected to female genital mutilation and 12 million forced to marry this year. The blockages resulting from the pandemic should make matters worse, “added the UN chief.
World Population Day 2020 theme
“How to protect the health and rights of women and girls now” in the midst of the pandemic is the theme of this year’s World Population Day. “In times of crisis, the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights is imperative …” wrote Dr. Natalie Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA, on Twitter.
In times of crisis, the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights is imperative.
This #WorldPopulationDay, see why we need to protect the health and rights of women and girls, especially # COVID-19[FEMALE[FEMININE pandemic: https://t.co/anzRJqfVEB# WPD2020pic.twitter.com/Jx7bBOxoDk
– Dr. Natalia Kanem (@Atayeshe) July 10, 2020
World Population Day and COVID-19
The pandemic has affected both the rich and the poor, but some people are more vulnerable because community services have been cut. Globally, gender-based violence has increased amidst closures. The National Commission for Women in India has reported a huge increase in the number of complaints of domestic violence. There have been many cases where pregnant women have been unable to go to health centers for a safe delivery.
According to a UNFPA study, “47 million women in low- and middle-income countries may not have access to modern contraceptives” when lock-in disruptions occur. Women are also hardest hit economically due to the COVID-19 crisis. According to the report, around 60% of women worldwide earn their living by working in the informal sector.
The pandemic has had an impact on the mental health of people, in all strata of society, in all countries. Living in social isolation, having no physical contact with anyone, and staying indoors for long periods of time has not been easy. Added to this is the massive economic impact of business collapse and job losses.
World Population Day: best quotes
- “You have to educate girls and empower women. And that’s the most powerful leverage, and when that happens, then the population starts to stabilize and societies start to make better and more balanced choices “- Al Gore, former US vice president.
- “If we invest in girls and women, the world and all 17 sustainable development goals will grow quickly as a result” – Ashley Judd, actor and goodwill ambassador for UNFPA.
- “I think women are afraid to say that they don’t want children because they are going to be rejected. But I think that changes too now …” – Cameron Diaz, actor
- “Stabilizing the population should become a priority for sustainable development, in particular by placing a strong emphasis on the empowerment of women and girls” – Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general.
- “Those who fail to see that population growth and climate change are two sides of the same coin are either ignorant or hidden from the truth” – James Lovelock, scientist and environmentalist.
