By Muhammad Amaan
The Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Natalia Kanem, says the world needs 222 billion dollars in new investment to achieve set goals for women and girls by 2030.
The information is in a statement issued by UNFPA Nigeria Country Office Communication Analyst, Adewole Ajao, on the occasion of the March 8, 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.
Ajao quoted Kanem as saying “the figure was reached based on analysis by UNFPA and academic partners.
“Just 222 billion dollars in new investment would secure an end to preventable maternal deaths, eliminate unmet need for family planning, and safeguard women and girls everywhere from Gender-Based Violence and harmful practices by 2030.
“This would transform the lives of millions.”
Dr Kanem also said that increasing women’s participation in workplace could raise their lifetime earning potential, and could boost per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by nearly 20 per cent on average.
She added that “businesses that subsidise the sexual and reproductive health of their workforce can increase productivity by up to 15 per cent, and reduce talent attrition by as much as 22 per cent.
“When we invest in women and girls, everyone gains, yet, in spite of these clear benefits, investments are still nowhere near enough.
“In 2017, less than one per cent of global aid for gender equality and women’s empowerment went to women’s organisations.
“In 2022, less than one per cent of global overseas aid went to stopping GBV, and only one per cent of global health-care research invested in female-specific conditions beyond oncology. Women and girls deserve better.”
The executive director noted that “the world owes women and girls real investments, such as supporting secondary education, championing their leadership in new tech, backing their own innovations against violence, and opening up more platforms to hear their voices.”
She explained that only by investing in the societal, economic and political inclusion of women and girls would the world strengthen its social fabric and create something truly beautiful such as “a future that works for all.”
She, however, said that dedicated investments in the health and rights of women and girls had improved and saved millions of lives in the last 30 years.
She noted that fewer women were dying from preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth than in the year 2000, while the number of teenagers giving birth had dropped by a third over the same period.
The number of women using modern contraceptives has doubled since 1990, Kanem said.
“Yet while broad trends show major steps forward in the pursuit of gender equality, they do not reflect the experiences of millions who continue to be left behind, largely due to persisting gender inequity, often in combination with other forms of discrimination.
“Women and girls with disabilities, of ethnic and racial minorities are still prevented from realising their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
“For those caught up in conflicts and climate disasters, family planning and gender-based violence response services typically crumble just when they are most critical.”
She emphasised that achieving brighter future for everyone, whoever and wherever they are, demands swift, sustained and cross-cutting support for and investment in women and girls – everywhere.
