Canada Announces Renewed Funding for UN Population Fund

OTTAWA, Ontario, Dec. 6 -- Global Affairs Canada, an arm of the Canadian government, issued the following news release:

Canada believes that advancing universal sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is essential to reducing poverty and gender inequalities around the world.

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today announced $15.6 million in renewed institutional support for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to increase access to SRHR services in developing countries.

Minister Bibeau made the announcement alongside Natalia Kanem, UNFPA's Executive Director, during the Canadian launch of the 2017 State of World Population report. Canada's support of UNFPA helps increase access to reproductive health services, influence development policies and improve the status of women and girls worldwide.

The Government of Canada will continue to work with UNFPA on important SRHR issues, including access to comprehensive sexuality education and to contraceptive supplies; women's, children's and adolescents' health; and child, early and forced marriage.

Quotes

"Canada firmly believes that a woman's fundamental right to economic empowerment cannot be distinguished from her fundamental right to choose. When sexual and reproductive health and rights are respected, other rights become more accessible. With its Feminist International Assistance Policy and partners like UNFPA, Canada is committed to a comprehensive approach to the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls globally."- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Quick Facts

* Approximately 214 million women and girls around the world have unmet needs for modern contraception.

* Complications in pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death for girls between the ages of 15 and 19 in developing countries.

* In March 2017, Canada announced an investment of $650 million over three years in SRHR.

* UNFPA, a key multilateral partner of Canada, is the primary UN organization focused on population, demographics and reproductive health, including maternal health issues.

* Canada will aim to close existing gaps in reproductive rights and in health care for women as part of its Feminist International Assistance Policy.