Goals for the Commission on Population and Development (CPD)

The 44th session of the Commission for Population and Development (CPD) begins today, Monday April 11th , and lasts through the week.  Ambassador Brian Bowler of Malawi will chair the session, which will cover the theme of “Fertility, reproductive health and development”.  This year’s CPD is particularly significant, and Women Deliver is grateful for the opportunity to participate.  As part of our advocacy efforts, we have joined together with other organizations committed to furthering the International Conference on Population and Development’s (ICPD) goals, including sexual and reproductive health and protection of human rights.

In summary, we are working for the following outcomes:

• For ICPD and its key actions to be extended beyond 2014;
• For comprehensive sexual & reproductive rights and services to be respected and for access to be ensured.  This includes access to contraceptives; maternal health care; emergency obstetric care; skilled birth attendance;  prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; safe legal abortion services; and quality services for managing complications from unsafe abortion and miscarriages;
• For young people to be provided with comprehensive sexuality education, to receive sexual and reproductive services that respect their rights, and for them to be involved in policy and program design;
• For gender equality and human rights to be placed at the forefront on the path to achieving the ICPD Plan of Action and the MDGs;
• For the rights of individuals to control and make their own sexual and reproductive choices to be upheld;
• And for all countries to increase financial commitments in order for these outcomes to take place.

This week will be critical for the future of sexual and reproductive rights throughout the world.  Please stay tuned for our blog posts and tweets throughout the week.