The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the “Here for Her” campaign to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day. The Here for Her Campaign is a call to action engaging all stakeholders to accelerate the pace in empowering women and girls to realize their rights and full potential. This flagship campaign is launched with the following objectives it wants to achieve by 2030:
- to promote commitment to end preventable maternal deaths
- to end unintended pregnancies as the result of an unmet need for family planning, and
- to prevent gender-based violence and other harmful practices
In spite of modern medicine and advances in technology, many women in Third World countries are still left behind. Here are some worrisome statistics:
- In the last 5 years, 8,016 mothers died of complications from pregnancy or childbirth
- In 2017, an estimated 10.8% or around 2.9M of all women of reproductive age (15-49 years old) have unmet needs in family planning
- In 2017, almost 1 in 4 (24%) of married women (aged 15-49) experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their current or most recent husband
- In 2017-2019, 83,549 girls were married at age 18 and below (adolescent marriage is 6.35% of all registered marriages)
Women are also most affected during natural disasters. Oftentimes, women have to be placed in tight quarters with men in evacuation centers. Pregnant women have no safe access to delivery facilities during childbirth. Young female children are at greater risk of abuse, including sexual abuse.
The launch of the Here for Her Campaign is on the day of the United Nations’ International Women’s Day with the theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” Achieving gender equality is further challenged by climate change.
During humanitarian crises, UNFPA leads in upholding the health and dignity of women and girls by preventing and responding to gender-based violence, addressing the delivery of emergency reproductive health kits and ensuring safe childbirth. These efforts are seen in previous calamities, including Super Typhoon Odette (Rai).
For more information on UNFPA Philippines, visit philippines.unfpa.org. Also follow them at facebook.com/UNFPAph/, instagram.com/unfpaph/, and twitter.com/UNFPAph