adminTanaka Mahanya
THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has said that over 40 percent of women globally do not have the right to make informed decisions about their bodies when seeking healthcare services.
Speaking during World Population Day commemorations and launch of the State of the World Population Report, UNFPA Zimbabwe deputy country representative, Gulnara Kadyrykulova, said that empowering women and girls, helped to support their aspirations and to chart the path of their own life.
According to the report, women and girls make up 49.7 percent of the global population, yet their rights are violated in population policies.
“When we unlock the full potential of women and girls, encouraging and nurturing their desires for their lives, their families and their careers, we galvanise half the leadership, ideas, innovation and creativity to better society.
“Realising sexual and reproductive health and rights for all is the foundation for gender equality, dignity and opportunity,” she said.
Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development permanent secretary, Moses Mhike, said women’s bodies should not be held captive.
“The problem, as stated in the report, is that achieving the milestone of eight billion people is a reminder of our unprecedented gains and the world’s infinite possibilities.
“Concerns about population are causing anxiety and driving more governments to try to influence fertility rates.
“Women’s bodies should not be held captive to choices made by governments or other individuals.
“They must be able to choose if, when and how many children they would like to have,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge