What's Next? Money in Our Pockets: COVID Socio-economic Consequences

Money in Our Pockets: COVID Socio-economic Consequences

WHAT'S NEXT? Accelerating action to meet our commitments to women and girls

What's next? Accelerating our commitments to women and girls

Accelerating our commitments to women and girls In 2019, the world marked the 25th anniversary of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development at the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25. On the road to Nairobi, we asked: What’s Changed? The answer: A lot. But we have much more to do. We must accelerate action to realize all of the ICPD Programme of Action’s bold commitments to women and girls, even as we adapt to new realities like COVID-19.

International Day to End Obstetric Fistula

Obstetric fistula is one of the most serious and tragic injuries that can occur during childbirth. The condition typically leaves women incontinent, as well as subject to infections or other health conditions. Women with fistula are often shunned by their communities. The United Nations has observed the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula since 2013. The day, 23 May, is meant to raise awareness of this issue and mobilize support around the globe.

International Day of the Midwife

Midwives – and people with midwifery skills – are the main caregivers for women and their newborns during pregnancy, labour, childbirth and in the post-delivery period. Skilled midwives are the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of women and infants every year. Yet there are massive midwife shortages around the world. UNFPA works at the global, regional and national level to scale up midwifery services, supporting training efforts and providing supplies and materials to midwifery institutions. 

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on 8 March, is dedicated to reflecting on the achievements of ordinary women who have made an extraordinary impact in their countries and communities, and to celebrate the contributions of women all around the world.  

ConVERGE: Connecting Vital Events Registration and Gender Equality

UNFPA, in partnership with Open Data Watch and the Centre of Excellence, will co-host a two-day event at the International Development Research Centre, bringing together technical experts, policymakers, government representatives, academics, youth and others.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2020

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is internationally recognized as a human rights violation. UNFPA, jointly with UNICEF, leads the largest global programme to accelerate the elimination of FGM. In 2012, the UN General Assembly designated 6 February as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. This day is observed to enhance awareness of the issue and to encourage concrete actions against the practice.

Human Rights Day

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day in 1950, to draw attention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations." The Declaration calls for "the advent of a world world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people."

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December every year. It aims to increase awareness of the disease, fight the stigma associated with it, improve HIV education and mobilize resources for the global response to the epidemic. Millions of people are vulnerable to HIV infection, and AIDS remains a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age and young adolescents. Stigma and discrimination continue to impede the realization of people’s rights, including access to essential information and services to prevent and treat HIV.