DAKAR SENEGAL, 4 August 2023 - Philanthropic organizations are instrumental in advocating for increased support and funding for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) contributing to health system improvements and empowering women and girls to have more choices and autonomy emphasized Dr Natalia Kanem in her keynote address at the 4th annual African Philanthropy Conference, held in Saly, Senegal on 2-4 August.
Such support is of vital importance to focus on young people's empowerment to give them opportunities and the right to choices in their lives.
Philanthropy has a pivotal role in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Africa, she said.
The conference, organized by TrustAfrica and the Wits Business School, brought together stakeholders from diverse sectors, including government representatives, civil society, and private sector leaders, recognizing the importance of collective efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.
In her address, Natalia Kanem commended the conference organizers for recognizing that global development cannot be attained until all individuals have control over their bodies and futures.
Drawing attention to the historic 1994 International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Ms. Kanem praised the global consensus that placed individual rights and choices, including family planning, at the heart of development. Notably, she acknowledged the considerable progress made in advancing maternal health and access to modern contraceptives.
However, amidst these achievements, UNFPA’s Executive Director highlighted the fragility of the gains and the pressing need to continue the fight for sexual and reproductive rights for everyone. "In Sub-Saharan Africa, 553 women die every day from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. This represents 70% of global maternal deaths (2020), which amount to about 800 per day. Most of these deaths are entirely preventable. We have seen progress in recent decades, but iimprovements in maternal health have been uneven, both within and among countries, and the pace of progress is far too slow," she said.
Adolescent pregnancies also remain a critical concern, primarily driven by social norms that perpetuate poverty, child marriages, gender inequalities and gender-based violence, and limited access to modern contraception information and methods. The consequences are reflected in high rates of adolescent pregnancies and maternal mortality in the Region.
The UNFPA's 2022 State of World Population report revealed alarming statistics, stating that nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide are unintended, leading to unsafe abortions, primarily in developing countries. Ms. Kanem underscored that sexual and reproductive health care is not a luxury but a human right entailing access to essential and lifesaving service, particularly in regions facing political instability, humanitarian crises, conflicts, and climate-related disasters. Read more