09 Mar 2016

For millions of women and girls around the world, gender equality and the full enjoyment of human rights remain elusive, this was said by the UNFPA executive director, Dr Babantunde Osotimehin in a statement on International Women’s Day occasion.

In his statement, Dr Osotimehin stated that nearly 14 million children are forced into marriage every year and 37 000 girls are being denied their fundamental human rights everyday.

He noted that everyday, 7.3 million babies in developing countries are born to mothers who are 17 or younger and one in three women is subjected to gender-based violence whereas 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone female genital mutilation.

He indicated that all countries have to take action to protect the rights of women and girls as well as to rectify long-standing gender inequality.
Dr Osotimehin also stated that gender equality and equal protection of human rights, including the right to sexual and reproductive health, are important.

In the statement, Dr Osotimehin stated that there are means to achieve internationally agreed-upon social and economic objectives, including the new United Nations Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the international community in September 2015.

He stated that the goals emphasise the achievement of gender equality, good health and quality education for all and the elimination of poverty.

Dr Osotimehin further indicated that for more than four decades, UNFPA has helped improve women’s health and advance their rights, and that the fund will continue pushing the health and rights agenda through 2030, when the Sustainable Development Goals are to be achieved, and beyond, until all women and girls everywhere are on an equal footing with men and have the power and the means to exercise their basic human rights. Ends