Dignity, security and reproductive health for all women and girls at all times!
Bishkek, July 11, 2015 – The theme for 2015 World Population Day, which is celebrated annually, is Vulnerable Populations in Emergencies.
On this day, United Nations Population Fund UNFPA draws attention of the society to such issues as security of women, children and youth during emergencies. These vulnerable groups constitute more than three-quarters of the 60-million world population who were forced to leave their homes due to natural disasters or armed conflicts, which take place in many countries around the world. In 2016 the number of these people may reach 78 million.
“This year’s World Population Day, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) calls on the international community to redouble its efforts to protect the rights and health of women and girls. We must help to ensure that women, girls, adolescents and young people are fully involved in the peace-building negotiations, and so that state policy is consistent with international law. By prioritizing health, rights and active participation of women, adolescents and young people in social life, we raise our capacity for stable and peaceful coexistence,” – said UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin.
Nowadays, 140 million women and girls of reproductive age and 16.8 million pregnant women are in need of care and protection of their reproductive rights in the conflict zones of the world.
“In emergency situations, the vulnerability of women and girls is very high – besides other threats, they are exposed to all forms of gender-based violence. The key components of UNFPA activities in the framework of the program to respond to gender-based violence in emergencies – is to provide services for psychosocial and legal counseling, sexual and reproductive health, protection of abused women and girls”, said Meder Omurzakov, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Kyrgyzstan.
Provision of protection and security for special groups during emergency and crisis situations requires a multi-sectoral approach and interdepartmental cooperation. When special needs and safety of women and girls in emergency and crisis situations are included in the national and departmental normative legal acts of the whole system of civil protection, then their health and dignity will be protected, leading to the well-being of the family and society as a whole.
