29 April 2024

At the landmark International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, world leaders affirmed a fundamental truth: Sustainable development is not possible without prioritizing human rights – including sexual and reproductive health and rights – and empowering women and girls.

This laid a path towards progress, inspiring investments in women and girls and spurring changes that unleashed a cascade of benefits for individuals and societies.

But these benefits did not reach everyone. Progress is unequal. Additionally, multifaceted crises, including climate emergencies, war and the polarization around sexual and reproductive health and rights, threaten to roll back advances.

Thirty years on from the landmark conference, as 47 United Nations Member States meet this year to assess progress, we celebrate the gains, highlight the areas where more progress is needed, and commit to closing gaps and ensuring rights and choices for all.

To that end, the images in this essay are on exhibit during the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on Population and Development at the United Nations in New York, from 29 April to 3 May 2024.

8 Billion
Survivor-led movements such as Women Rising, founded by activist Mumina Jirmo (centre) in Kenya to help eradicate female genital mutilation, are critical to advancing real change. Mumina is a mother of two daughters. © UNFPA/Christina Nnwabugo
“I wanted to be the last woman on earth who underwent FGM.” –Mumina
Engaging men and boys is essential to achieving gender equality. © UNFPA Azerbaijan/Elnur Mukhtar
Strong data systems are key for exposing inequalities and taking action. © UNFPA/Tomas Pineda
Sharing an important message: Your body, your bodyright. © UNFPA Costa Rica/Yonel Puga
Young Mums Clubs in Nigeria provide livelihood support. © UNFPA/Magnum Photos/Lindokuhle Sobekwa
Arwa learns self-defense at Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. © UNFPA/Ghinwa Daher

The world has changed over the last 30 years, but our goals have not. The bodyright campaign, as seen at the Costa Rica Fashion Week (above), is UNFPA’s campaign for a “copyright” for the human body to demand protection from digital violence and end online abuse.

8 Billion
“I am not a hero, I am a medic,” says Tatiana Putria, a nurse in Kherson, Ukraine. UNFPA supports mobile units and clinics offering sexual and reproductive health care for women and girls around the world. © UNFPA Ukraine/Alina Stara
Fatoumata Dienta gave birth at a clinic amid a security crisis in Mali. © UNFPA Mali/Amadou Maiga
Mariel gave birth at a mobile clinic after a typhoon struck the Philippines. © UNFPA /Ezra Acayan
There is no such thing as a healthy pregnancy in Gaza anymore. © UNFPA Palestine/Bisan Owda
Skilled midwives are reducing maternal mortality in Tanzania. © UNFPA/Magnum Photos/Sabiha Çimen
When a climate disaster strikes, it is a disaster for women and girls. © Naymuzzaman Prince

Conflicts and crises around the world are rolling back progress on the rights of women and girls. The needs of women and girls must be central to humanitarian responses – not an afterthought.

8 Billion
Florence Jaukae Kamel weaves bilum bags in Papua New Guinea. They serve as baby carriers, a fashion statement – even stretchers. Their patterns tell stories of joy, pain, beauty and gender inequality. © UNFPA Papua New Guinea
Dr. Ghada Boulaabi reviews mammograms in Ariana, Tunisia. © UNFPA/Dhia Absi
All women and girls need quality sexual and reproductive health care. © UNFPA Georgia/Dina Oganova
Young people must be involved in decisions that affect their future. © UNFPA/Abdoulatif Keita
Tailored health services support indigenous women in Brazil. © UNFPA/Magnum Photos/Newsha Tavakolian
Amisse drives a boat ambulance in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. © UNFPA Mozambique/Mbuto Machili
8 Billion
Youth leader Divya, trained in sexual and reproductive health by UNFPA, is among a growing number of young women in India focusing on their careers and not considering having children until later. © UNFPA/Magnum Photos/Nanna Heitmann
“This is the power of rights and choices.” –Divya, 16, Turkuri, India
8 Billion
8 Billion

Images on display at the UN during CPD57. 

Share story

We use cookies and other identifiers to help improve your online experience. By using our website you agree to this, see our cookie policy

X