Despite global gains in sexual and reproductive health and rights over the last thirty years, millions of women and girls – including those from the Philippines – have been deprived of access and opportunities, according to the 2024 State of World Population report, released today by UNFPA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency. 

Entitled “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights”, the report highlights the role gender inequality and other forms of discrimination continue to play in blocking broad gains in sexual and reproductive health for women and girls. Women and girls who are poor, belong to ethnic, racial and indigenous minority groups, or are trapped in conflict settings, are more likely to die because they lack access to timely health care:

Over half of all preventable maternal deaths are estimated to occur in countries with humanitarian crises and conflicts – that’s nearly 500 deaths per day.

• Women from indigenous ethnic groups are more likely to die of causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
• Women with disabilities are up to 10 times more likely to experience gender-based violence than their peers without disabilities.
• People of diverse sexual orientation and gender expression face rampant violence and steep barriers to care.

“This report underscores a sobering truth: inequalities are widening and the rights of women, girls, and gender-diverse people face increasing pushback. This report delves into the critical issues that continue to shape our world and provides a roadmap for realizing the promises we made in Cairo for the International Conference on Population and Development [30 years ago],” said UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane during the local launch of the report at the University of the Philippines.

The event – attended by government officials such as those from the National Economic and Development Authority and the Commission on Population and Development – also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). From a focus on population control, the ICPD was pivotal in convincing the world’s nations to prioritize reproductive justice by recognizing the rights and choices of individuals –  especially women and girls – to make informed choices about their bodies, their lives, and their futures. Through the ICPD in 1994, 179 governments, including that of the Philippines, committed to placing sexual and reproductive health and rights at the core of sustainable development.

“The Philippines serves as a complex, and in many ways, inspiring case study.  We've seen significant advances in some areas, yet profound inequalities persist,” said Joudane. “Access to contraception, reductions in maternal death, and the continued fight for gender equality are successes to be honored. Yet we know the fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights is far from over, especially for marginalized communities, young people, and those left furthest behind.”

The Philippines has made strides when it comes to maternal and reproductive health since 1994. Antenatal care for women increased by 30% (from 53 to 83%), unmet need for Family Planning has been halved (from 30% to 12%), and important laws like such as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, the Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage, and many others have been enacted

During the event, UNFPA Philippines presented additional data on how access to family planning, especially among the poorest or lowest socioeconomic quintile, has greatly expanded due to the implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. However, while the law improved access for economically disadvantaged women, it has also resulted in lower access to family planning among adolescents due to the need for parental consent.

UNFPA Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Dr. Aleksandar Sasha Bodiroza, who gave the closing remarks during the launch, said the report is “a celebration of progress and a stark reminder of the work that remains.”

“Millions of women and girls remain far behind, and progress is slowing or stalled on key measures: 800 women die every day giving birth, unchanged since 2016; a quarter of women cannot make her own health-care decisions and around the same number cannot say no to sex with their partner. In 40 percent of countries with data, women’s bodily autonomy is diminishing,” Bodiroza said.

Echoing the statement of UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem, Bodiroza said that while the work on advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights is “incomplete,” it is still possible to achieve with “sustained investment and global solidarity."

The 2024 State of World Population report highlights the importance of tailoring programmes to the needs of communities – instead of large-scale, one-size-fits-all approaches – and empowering women and girls to craft and implement innovative solutions. It also calculates that if we spent an additional $79 billion in low- and middle-income countries by 2030, we would avert 400 million unplanned pregnancies, save 1 million lives and generate $660 billion in economic benefits.

For the Philippines, an investment case developed by UNFPA with Burnett Institute showed that for every dollar investment in maternal health and family planning interventions by the government, there is an 18-US dollar return in national economic benefits for the Philippines.

“We know what we can change. We must tackle harmful stigmas around sex and sexuality, redouble our efforts for comprehensive, inclusive health care, and empower local actors to shape health systems from the ground up. Investments in sexual and reproductive health yield results,” Joudane said.

“It is very clear that by working together, we can advance towards a world of rights and choices for all. No exceptions. No exclusions.”