According to studies conducted last March by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an estimated 12 million women experienced a halt in family planning services.
These two years of health crisis in the world have affected care assistance, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health.
While childbearing is often delayed in times of uncertainty or economic hardship, problems in contraceptive supply are expected to lead to an increase in unplanned pregnancies among the most vulnerable, the UN says.
The pandemic also exposed and exacerbated gender inequalities: violence against women increased under confinement, as did the risk of child marriage and female genital mutilation.
A significant number of women dropped out of the labor force and others had to take care of children and homebound elderly, destabilizing their finances, not just for now, but in the long term.
In this context, Unfpa warns, that many countries are expressing growing concern over changes in fertility rates: historically, such concern has led to the deterioration of human rights.
According to UN figures, the world’s population is 7.7 billion and is expected to grow to about 8.5 billion in 2030; 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.
World Population Day was first celebrated on July 11, 1990 in more than 90 nations. Since then, the day has sought to raise awareness of the issue.
(Taken from Orbe weekly)
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