On Monday, 16th September, NCWNZ President Suzanne Manning, accompanied by Intern Coco Clelland, had the privilege of attending an insightful talk hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The UNFPA, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, is dedicated to achieving a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. Central to their mission is the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls to understand and take control of their bodies, thereby working towards ending preventable maternal deaths, gender-based violence, and harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

The talk was delivered at the Rutherford House by Pio Smith, the UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. The most memorable takeaway was Mr Smith’s highlighting of one of the key drivers behind shifting attitudes toward sexual education. In keeping with the UNFPA motto, “ensuring rights and choices for all,” Mr Smith underscored the significance of reproductive rights, emphasising the stark differences in opportunities available to a girl who can choose if and when she becomes pregnant versus a girl who faces an unwanted pregnancy due to a lack of education or access to contraception. The disparity between the futures of these two girls is profound. Mr Smith pointed to this image as a key motivator for change, sharing personal stories from his upbringing in Roman Catholic Ireland as well as his travels to remote islands where attitudes shifted as people witnessed the transformative impact of reproductive choice. One particularly noteworthy example was a group of nuns eager to showcase their sexual education class led by a young man- an unexpected yet powerful symbol of changing norms.

Mr Smith also stressed the vital role of men and boys in the conversation about sexual and reproductive health, noting that inclusive dialogue is crucial for progress. Furthermore, funding for research and accurate data collection is essential to raise awareness and implement targeted, effective change.

Mr Smith highlighted a critical issue: women and girls are not merely forgotten or ignored; they are being actively held back. He provided a powerful example from his time in Afghanistan, where he personally witnessed the suffering endured by young girls. The erosion of women’s rights, however, is a global concern, illustrated by alarming examples such as the recent overturning of Roe v Wade in the United States.

Drawing on the pivotal Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, Mr Smith reiterated Hillary Clinton’s timeless statement that “women’s rights are human rights,” underlining that the goal should not only be gender equality but gender equity. Equity requires that women not only have a place at the table but also power at the table. Mr Smith provided the example of female police officers— it is not enough for women to be represented in the police force; they must also be available and empowered to assist other women, particularly those fleeing gender-based violence. Additionally, male officers must be adequately trained to respond to these cases with the care and sensitivity required.

The UNFPA's State of World Population Report 2024, Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, was presented to the New Zealand Parliamentarians Group on Population and Development at New Zealand Parliament on 17 September 2024. For those interested in delving deeper into the subject, the UNFPA’s 2024 Report offers a comprehensive examination of how to end inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights.