UN Report Indicates Severe Global Disparities in Women’s Health

A United Nations report has highlighted severe disparities in women’s sexual and reproductive health across the globe.

The report revealed that an African woman is approximately 130 times more likely to die from pregnancy and childbirth complications compared to her counterparts in Europe or North America.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) released these findings in its latest “State of World Population” report on Wednesday.

The report also noted that nearly 500 maternal deaths occur daily in regions affected by humanitarian crises or conflicts.

Additionally, it pointed out significant racial differences in maternal mortality rates within America where women of African descent face higher risks than white women.

The Executive Director of UNFPA, Dr Natalia Kanem, commented on the findings, stating, “Sweeping global gains in sexual and reproductive health and rights over the last thirty years are marred by an ugly truth — millions of women and girls have not benefited because of who they are or where they were born.”

Despite a nearly one-fifth reduction in unintended pregnancy rates since 1990 and a more than one-third drop in maternal death rates since 2000, Dr Kanem asserted that health inequalities are widening.

She said the benefits of healthcare advancements have mostly reached wealthier and certain ethnic groups, leaving others behind.

Dr Kanem also noted some global progress, such as the enactment of laws against domestic violence in over 160 countries and the reduction in legislation against LGBTQIA+ individuals.

However, she warned of the increasing politicisation of human reproduction, adding that the “rights of women, girls and gender diverse people are the subject of increasing pushback.”

The report calls for new investments in sexual and reproductive health, improvements in sexuality education, the elimination of gender-based violence, and addressing the yet-to-be-fulfilled need for contraception.

This publication comes after a period when U.S. funding for UNFPA was suspended under the Donald Trump administration (over abortion concerns), which significantly impacted the organisation’s financial resources.

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