Ensuring reproductive rights for all

News

Child bride and fistula survivor becomes an advocate for change

Fistula is one of the most serious and tragic childbirth injuries, and it is almost entirely preventable.

News

Debilitating childbirth injury takes major toll on women

Obstetric fistula affects the most vulnerable, marginalized women – those without access to quality obstetric care.

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News

In war-torn Yemen, a devastating childbirth injury, then a glimpse of hope

On Wednesday, the world will observe the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula.

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News

Expanding family planning choices for women in the Philippines

Access to a wide range of contraceptive options is critical to fulfilling the human right to family planning.

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Donate

With your donation, you help UNFPA in its mission to end maternal death, end unmet need for family planning, and end gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and female genital mutilation.
Speak Out

Raise your voice in support of women and girls. Join us on social media and spread the word that reproductive rights are human rights, no woman should die while giving life, and gender-based violence must end once and for all.
Work with Us

Join our dynamic, creative, international workplace! UNFPA works in more than 150 countries, and every role helps advance our mission to protect and promote human rights. Here, you truly can make a difference.

Ending preventable maternal deathLearn more

Um Qassem continued her work as a midwife, even as ISIL fighters took over the hospital. © UNFPA Iraq

News

Midwife describes working under ISIL, taking a dangerous stand for women

“I knew that I was risking my life," Um Qassem told UNFPA.

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A new midwifery programme aims to elevate the profession – and save mothers. © UNFPA Nepal/Santosh Chhetri

News

Nepal’s first midwives waiting in the wings to save women’s lives

New midwifery course in Nepal aims to elevate midwives, save mothers.

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Feature

First moments: A celebration of motherhood

This May, we celebrate those who give the gift of life: mothers and midwives

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Ending unmet need for family planningLearn more

Hannah Gumaro chose to receive a contraceptive implant at a UNFPA-supported family planning session. © UNFPA Philippines/Mario Villamor

News

Expanding family planning choices for women in the Philippines

Access to a wide range of contraceptive options is critical to fulfilling the human right to family planning.

read story >

Men queue to register for the vasectomy event in Port-au-Prince. Enthusiasm far exceeded expectations. © Moïse Alex Docteur/UNV

News

Haiti vasectomy campaign draws over 300 per cent anticipated turnout

“At 55, I already have four children. I realized that I do not have enough resources to take care of more mouths in my...

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Video

Family planning at 50

On 13 May 1968, family planning was officially recognized as a human right at the International Conference on Human

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Ending gender-based violence and harmful practicesLearn more

Drawing on her own experience being married as a child – and then getting back to school – Jenipher Sanni has become a mentor for girls in her community. © UN Foundation/GirlUp

News

A young activist in Malawi campaigns to keep girls out of marriage and in school

At 21, Jenipher Sanni has already lived two lives: as a wife, and now again as a student. Now, she mentors other girls.

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Rima*, a 22-year-old mother of two, escaped both violence in Syria and abuse in her home. Today, she works as a health mediator at a UNFPA-supported safe space in Turkey. © UNFPA Turkey

News

Former child brides find brighter future at Turkey’s safe spaces

Two women speak of war, child marriage, domestic violence, displacement – and escape.

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Resources

Child marriage - Frequently Asked Questions

How common is child marriage? How is child marriage connected to teen pregnancy?

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UNFPA Transformative Results

END MATERNAL DEATH

Since 1990, maternal death has declined by 44 per cent. Still, some 830 women...Read more

Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births

Actual
UNFPA vision
SDG Target

Assuming all the maternal deaths are preventable

END UNMET NEED FOR FAMILY PLANNING

Family planning is central to women’s empowerment and sustainable...Read more

Unmet need for family planning

Actual
UNFPA vision
Projection

Women with unmet need are those, aged 15-49, who are married or in a union and want to stop or delay childbearing but are not using any method of contraception

END GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND ALL HARMFUL PRACTICES

Violence against women and girls remains a global pandemic. One in...Read more

Ending Child Marriage

Per cent of girls married/in union before age 15

Per cent of girls married/in union after age 15 but before age 18

Actual
UNFPA vision
SDG Target

Actual
UNFPA vision
SDG Target

ENDING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND HARMFUL PRACTICES

Violence against women and girls remains a global pandemic. One in...Read more

Global prevalence of female genital mutilation

Actual
UNFPA vision
SDG Target

ENDING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND HARMFUL PRACTICES

Violence against women and girls remains a global pandemic. One in...Read more

Prevalence of recent intimate partner violence

UNFPA vision
SDG Target

Per cent of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months

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Data Portal Dashboards