Dhaka: Calling upon each stakeholders including Bangladesh for the fulfilment of the ICPD commitments,  overcoming obstacles and embracing a better future, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched its annual flagship report ‘State of World Population 2019’ on Wednesday. Themed ‘Unfinished business: The pursuit of rights and choices for all’, the report has been published marking 50 years of UNFPA operations and 25 years since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, reports the UNB.

The launching ceremony, arranged by UNFPA, was held at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in Dhaka.

State minister for Health and Family Welfare Murad Hasan, the launching ceremony’s chief guest, said that Bangladesh is committed to contributing to the realisation of ICPD agendas.

‘We’re optimistic that with our efforts and multi-sectorial collaboration, we’ll soon be able to overcome the remaining challenges and build an equal Bangladesh for everyone regardless of gender identity,’ he hoped.

Other speakers at the programme called for the full realisation of sexual and reproductive health rights for all. 

The State Minister mentioned that Bangladesh has already proved itself as a great champion of women’s empowerment.  

He acknowledged existing challenges saying, ‘We are well ahead of most of our neighbouring countries in promoting women empowerment.

‘Challenges still remain in achieving gender equality, namely, eradication of violence against women,  prevention of child marriage and addressing gender digital divide.’

He assured that government is aware and working in full capacity to tackle these challenges. 

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo noted that violence against women remains a serious issue in parts of the region.

‘These are concerning facts and drive home that it’s imperative that we complete the unfinished business of guaranteeing rights and choices for all,’ Seppo said.

‘The governments who made pledges to the ICPD programme of actions should keep their promises, with special attention to reaching those who are left behind – the young, the poor and people in rural areas,’ she added.

Seppo urged the governments to uphold people’s sexual and reproductive rights and protect them from child marriage, gender violence and other harmful practices. 

Dr Asa Torkelsson, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, said the 50th anniversary of UNFPA as well as 25th anniversary of ICPD presents a unique opportunity for the global community to fully commit to realising a visionary agenda for sexual and reproductive health and rights based on ICPD framework.

She emphasised other perspective for applying the agenda saying, ‘This agenda must pay attention to population dynamics, recognise the diverse challenges faced by different countries at various stages of development, and ground policies and programmes.’

Dr Barkat e Khuda, former professor of Dhaka University and Dr Muzaffer Ahmed Chair Professor, Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management elaborated on the prospects and challenges toward the achievement of ICPD for Bangladesh while Soheli Parvin, head teacher of Burichar AMG Secondary High School, Barguna shared her experience and reflection on providing life skills at school.

The launching event was followed by a question and answer session and a press conference.

Global fertility rate drops

According to the data presented in report, the global fertility rate has dropped to 2.5 in 2019 which was 2.9 in 1994. Fertility rate in least developed countries has declined to 3.9 in 2019 which was at 5.6 in 1994.

Significant drop was observed in number of deaths of women from pregnancy-related causes per 100000 live births worldwide at 216 in 2015 which was 369 in 1994.

Global modern contraceptive prevalence rate has risen to 58 in 2019 which was 52 previously in 1994. Percentage of women able to make their own decision in sexual intercourse regarding the use of contraception and in health care is at 57.

Despite such achievements globally a large number, some 200 million women, are deprived of modern contraceptives, which is their reproductive right.

In Bangladesh, the fertility rate for women has dropped to 2 in 2019 which was 3.8 in 1994. Life expectancy is at all time high at 73 years in 2019 which was 61 years in 1994.

Modern contraceptive prevalence rate for women aged 15 years to 49 years has also risen to 57 percent in 2019 which was 37 percent in 1994, maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births decreased to 176 in 2015 which were 495 in 1994.