The ICPD Programme of Action, developed during that conference, asserted a clear-cut vision: development policies should primarily focus on human rights and the dignity of every individual. It emphasized that improving lives should be measured by progress on addressing inequalities. Civil society was crucial in shaping and executing this programme, continuing its efforts relentlessly over the years.
Fast forward to the present, the resolution submitted by Senators Shaheen and Duckworth highlights the notable strides made over the past 30 years. For instance, modern contraception has become more universally accessible, reflecting a 25% global increase in voluntary access. There’s been a dramatic reduction in maternal mortality, with a 34% decrease globally.
Yet, the road to universal sexual and reproductive health hasn’t been entirely smooth. The resolution sheds light on glaring gaps and emerging challenges. Nearly 218 million women worldwide still have unmet contraceptive needs, facing severe barriers to achieving reproductive autonomy. Alarmingly, about 287,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related complications—an astonishingly high number given that most of these deaths are preventable. The resolution points out that one-quarter of these mortalities could be averted through better access to contraception.
One of the more troubling statistics is related to unsafe abortions. Although there’s been a significant drop in deaths due to unsafe abortions—from 69,000 in 1990 to 22,800 in 2014—unsafe practices still contribute to approximately 11% of maternal deaths. Moreover, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a major global health issue, with over a million new cases acquired daily. In low to middle-income countries, an estimated 133 million women of reproductive age go untreated for at least one of the four major curable STIs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
HIV remains a persistent threat, with 1.7 million new infections in 2022 alone. The resolution highlights that men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and transgender individuals face an alarmingly higher risk of acquiring HIV. Additionally, adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa account for a staggering 80% of new infections among all adolescents.
Gender-based violence continues to undermine global progress. Thirty-five percent of women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, exacerbated by characteristics such as sexual orientation, disability status, HIV status, and even pregnancy. Contextual factors like humanitarian crises and conflict only magnify this vulnerability.
In the resolution, the Senate reaffirms the ICPD’s core principles: everyone has the right to a satisfying and safe sex life, the capability to reproduce, and the liberty to make informed choices about reproduction. The document urges governments worldwide to disseminate and gain public support for these principles broadly.
Recognizing the youth’s vital role, the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue gathered 400 youth delegates from 60 countries in Cotonou, Benin, earlier this year. These young leaders called for global commitments that focus on youth-centered, accessible, safe, gender-responsive, and quality sexual and reproductive health services. Their agenda encompasses everything from menstrual health management to comprehensive abortion services and HIV care.
Members of parliaments from across the world echoed these sentiments during the eighth International Parliamentarians’ Conference held in Oslo. The resulting Oslo Statement of Commitment emphasized a global backlash against the sexual and reproductive health agenda. This resurgence hampers women’s and girls’ autonomy, deepening social inequalities, and undermining human rights, democracy, and collective efforts toward inclusive societies.
An assessment of the ICPD Programme’s progress, encapsulated in the 2024 State of the World Population Report by the UNFPA, reveals that while advances have been made, enduring inequalities still deprive many individuals of fundamental rights. These disparities are often exacerbated by an unwillingness to address underlying issues of gender inequality, racial discrimination, and misinformation.
The United States Government’s Statement at the UN Commission on Population and Development’s 57th Annual Session highlights that reproductive rights are pivotal for an inclusive, thriving society. It contends that striving for these rights unequivocally transforms women’s lives for the better globally.
The Senate’s resolution doesn’t just pat the back for past achievements; it calls for persistent and enhanced efforts. It urges the scaling up of funding for family planning and reproductive health programs, which have remained static for over a decade. Emphasizing a need to discard harmful policies like the global gag rule and the Helms Amendment, it aims to remove barriers to comprehensive health care information and services.
The document expresses unequivocal opposition to reproductive coercion in any form, condemning practices from using incentives to manipulate fertility rates to forced sterilization and abortion. Furthermore, it calls on President Biden’s administration to implement the National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality, particularly in expanding access to inclusive and comprehensive health care.
This resolution is not merely an exercise in reflection or self-congratulation, but a call to action. It underlines the United States’ responsibility, as a major global health funder, to set a forward-facing example. The Senate stresses that achieving the vision laid out in Cairo 30 years ago requires commitment, not only from policymakers and governments but from society as a whole.
In confirming its stance, the Senate acknowledges that the journey to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health is long and winding, laden with complex challenges. Yet, with concerted effort and unwavering commitment, these roadblocks can be navigated, ensuring a healthier, more just world for all.
