World Population Day: UN Secretary-General António Guterres, says that one of the consequences of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been the erosion of women’s reproductive rights.
As a result, he advocated for women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services.
In his message commemorating World Population Day on Sunday, Guterres emphasized the importance of closing the gaps that the crisis has created in women’s access to sexual and reproductive health services.
According to the secretary-general, the pandemic “continues to upend our world, reaching one grim milestone after another.
“Last week, the global death toll due to COVID-19 officially surpassed four million.
“In addition to the millions of lives tragically lost, there has been a less visible toll: a shocking rise in domestic violence.
“There is a rise in domestic violence as women were forced into isolation with their abusers; empty maternity wards as women postponed motherhood; and unintended pregnancies due to curtailed access to contraceptive services,” he said.
The UN estimates that the pandemic will push some 47 million women and girls into extreme poverty.
Additionally, many girls now out of school may never return to the classroom.
READ ALSO: coach-southgate-takes-blame-for-englands-shootout-loss-to-italy
“In every corner of the world, we are seeing a reversal of hard-won gains and an erosion of women’s reproductive rights and choices, among other things.
“With the onset of the pandemic, resources for sexual and reproductive health services were diverted,” the secretary-general said.
“These gaps in access to health rights are unacceptable. Women cannot be alone in this fight.
“As we mark World Population Day, let us pledge to ensure the reproductive health rights of everyone, everywhere,” he added.
