TZ gets push to accelerate progress towards ICPD+25

THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reiterated its commitment to support Tanzania to accelerate progress towards the commitments of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+25).

ICPD+25 held in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2019 to celebrate 25 years after the Cairo conference resulted in over 1,300 voluntary commitments by 140 governments and partners on women’s health and rights.

UNFPA Representative in Tanzania, Mr Mark Bryan Schreiner disclosed in Dar es Salam over the weekend ahead of the High-Level Commission on ICPD follow up which is expected to kick start this Wednesday November 9 to 11 in Zanzibar.

This year’s conference comes 25 years after the original International Conference on Population and Development, in order to review progress of the ICPD+25.

The conference will be co-chaired by the High-Level Commission, the former President Dr Jakaya Kikwete, and Madame Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General and Commander in Chief of Canada.

“This gathering is envisioned to forward global commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in following up the commitments reached at the Nairobi Summit ICPD+25.

The Nairobi Summit rallied support to achieve the three transformative results, within 10 years which are zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, zero gender-based violence and harmful practices (FGM and child marriage),” said Mr Schreiner.

He noted that the high-Level Commission is also tasked to track, report, and make recommendations on progress on ICPD25 commitments.

Besides, they will carry out field visits in hospitals, health units, youth friendly centres, and among other areas to witness how the ICPD25 commitments are making a difference in Tanzania, especially in the lives of women and girls.

According to him, progress was noted on some Nairobi commitments, but there is overall setback in sexual and reproductive health and rights around the world.

On her part, the Project Specialist of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Adolescent Health at UNFPA, Ms Felister Bwana, indicated that despite progress made in the country, maternal deaths were still a challenge ending the lives of many pregnant women.

Ms Bwana revealed that the implementation of ICPD commitments is a requirement to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) enhance efforts towards achieving the goal of zero preventable maternal death and maternal morbidity.