Based off the United Nations Fifty-Sixth Session, 4 AM Meeting || 11 April 2023
Key Takeaways
Deprivation of access to education on sexual and reproductive health and rights leads to harmful practices like early and child marriages, unwanted pregnancies, and gender-based violence.
These practices have a significant adverse impact on sustainable development goals.
The Commission on Population and Development discusses the contribution of key population and development issues to accelerating recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Key speakers emphasized the importance of sexual and reproductive education in achieving gender equality and overall development.
Harmful Consequences of Limited Access
Deprivation of access to education on sexual and reproductive health and rights has far-reaching consequences. Harmful practices, such as early and child marriages, unwanted pregnancies, and high levels of gender-based violence, result from this lack of education. These practices, in turn, have an enormous adverse effect on sustainable development.
Commission Discussion Highlights
The Commission on Population and Development held a general debate and a panel discussion during its fifty-sixth session. The focus was on the contribution of key population and development issues to accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.
Speakers and Insights
Ms. Squeff (Argentina) emphasized the relevance of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action and the 2030 Agenda in achieving gender equality. These instruments not only recommend actions but also commit Member States to specific actions. She highlighted the importance of universal access to health and sexual reproductive rights, emphasizing their role in achieving the goal of leaving no one behind.
Ms. Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana) outlined challenges faced by small island developing States in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. She stressed the importance of equitable access to safe water, renewable energy sources, and investments in agriculture.
Ms. Mosiashvili, a youth advocate from Georgia, stressed the significance of sexual and reproductive education. She shared her personal story of becoming an advocate for these rights, highlighting the importance of peer education and comprehensive sexual education for young people worldwide.
Ms. Bansal discussed challenges related to school enrollment and completion in developing countries, particularly India. She emphasized the importance of retaining children in school, the benefits of local language education, and investments in teaching staff's skills.
Dr. Wilopo emphasized the need for strong policy and legal frameworks for population and family planning. He highlighted the importance of community acceptance and participation, as well as collaboration with religious leaders and faith organizations.
Conclusion
The lack of access to sexual and reproductive health education has far-reaching consequences, including harmful practices and hindering progress toward sustainable development goals. The discussions at the Commission on Population and Development underscored the critical role of comprehensive sexual education, equitable access to essential resources, and investments in education and healthcare. Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires a collective effort to ensure that no one is left behind.
Read the full meeting notes here: https://press.un.org/en/2023/pop1106.doc.htm
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