VICTORIA FALLS/Zimbabwe: Ms. Lydia Zigomo, the Regional Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for East and Southern Africa, has emphasized the need for greater investment in the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda ahead of the 20th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development.
Ms. Zigomo’s call to action comes as she arrives in Zimbabwe for this pivotal conference scheduled to take place in Victoria Falls from October 9-10, 2023.
The International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development aims to assess the progress made in fulfilling the commitments laid out in the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994. Nearly three decades ago, the ICPD brought together representatives from 179 governments and various stakeholders to adopt a visionary plan centered on promoting human well-being by prioritizing individual rights in the global development agenda. This plan, known as the ICPD Programme of Action, underscored the importance of investing in women and girls and affirmed the principle of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.
The “Promise of Cairo” was built on a vision of achieving people-centered development worldwide, with a core focus on providing universal access to sexual and reproductive health information and services.
During her visit to Zimbabwe, Ms. Zigomo will engage with key partners and stakeholders to garner continued support for the ICPD agenda. In her statement, Ms. Zigomo expressed her satisfaction with the progress made in advancing this crucial agenda and acknowledged the significance of the partnerships formed over the years.
“As we approach the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, we are very happy with the progress that has been made towards advancing this important agenda and value all the partnerships we have built over the years toward this,” said Ms. Lydia Zigomo.
“UNFPA remains very committed to accelerate progress toward the ICPD agenda, as we know there is still a lot of unfinished business. I commend the Government of Zimbabwe for its commitment to advancing the International Conference on Population and Development agenda by hosting this important conference.”
However, the East and Southern Africa region still grapples with several challenges, including high maternal mortality rates, particularly among adolescents. Recent data reveals that approximately 800 women die every day due to preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, translating to roughly one woman every two minutes. A further 20 to 30 women suffer injuries, infections, or disabilities for every maternal death, most of which could have been prevented.
Moreover, the region faces concerns regarding high maternal deaths among adolescent girls, attributed to early childbearing, elevated fertility rates, and limited access to maternal health services. Statistics indicate that girls aged 15-19 years are twice as likely to die during childbirth compared to women aged 20 years and above.
Another pressing issue in the region is the lack of access to modern contraception or family planning services, affecting an estimated 49 million sexually active women in East and Southern Africa. More than half of these women are young, contributing to adolescent pregnancy rates that are twice the global average, standing at 92 births per 1,000 girls (UNFPA, 2021).
Additionally, the East and Southern Africa region remains the global epicenter of HIV, with 20.7 million people living with the virus, representing 55 percent of the world’s HIV-positive population. Among the top 28 countries worldwide with the highest HIV infection rates, 15 are located in this region. Eight of these countries, including Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, report the highest prevalence rates globally, ranging from 11 percent to over 26 percent among adults.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is another persistent challenge in the region, characterized by high prevalence rates and harmful practices, particularly among adolescents and young women. Disturbingly, 31 percent of girls aged 20 to 24 years were married before the age of 18 in 2020. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage continue to persist, severely affecting agency and bodily autonomy. Furthermore, approximately 20 percent of individuals aged 15 to 24 years in seven regional countries reported experiencing sexual violence from an intimate partner.
The 20th International Inter-Ministerial Conference on South-South Cooperation in Population and Development in Victoria Falls presents an invaluable opportunity to address these pressing challenges and recommit to the vision of the ICPD, ensuring that the rights and well-being of individuals, particularly women and girls, remain at the forefront of the global development agenda.
