Programme of Action became a blueprint for global development policy. President Hosni Mubarak (extreme left) of Egypt addresses the conference. Photo credits: UN Photo.
30 Years Later: Renewed Commitment for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development marked a historic shift for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Instead of population control the narrative changed to a concern of human rights. Now 30 years later, decision-makers, civil society organisations, and UN agencies met to recommit to the ICPD agenda.
Three decades ago, representatives from 179 countries gathered and adopted a Programme of Action with recommendations focusing on individuals' sexuality and reproduction. This took place in Cairo at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD.)
Today, in 2024, it remains more important than ever to reaffirm the commitments that were made and to build on them, to realise sexual and reproductive rights for all. Last week, stakeholders came together in New York to assess progress on the Program of Action adopted thirty years ago.
History of RFSU's involvement
In 1994, RFSU played a role in influencing global policy as part of the Swedish delegation at the Cairo Conference, where UN member states developed the program of action that serves as the foundation for efforts to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. However, several countries had reservations about various paragraphs of the document, mainly regarding women's sexual rights, abortion, and girls' inheritance rights. Every year since 1994, states come together in the United Nations to recommit to the ICPD agenda through a political declaration.
Outcome of the 57:th session of CPD
Last week marked the 57:th session of the Commission on Population and Development. RFSU's policy advisor Linnea Håkansson was present at the event. This is her analysis:
"Despite calling for a progressive outcome document with critical elements that could improve the lives of women, girls and structurally excluded groups, progress made at the Commission this year was limited. That said, a Political Declaration was adopted that calls for the realisation of human rights for all and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
2024 it was important to ensure that a Political Declaration was adopted to send a strong political message that the ICPD Programme of Action is more relevant than ever and to support the implementation of SRHR services and to ensure the realization of rights for all across all regions. We are committed to ensuring accountability on this agenda -without the full realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights, sustainable development, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls will not be possible.
What we want now
On the 30-year anniversary of the ICPD Programme of Action we call for renewed commitment and urgent action from member states to advance the ICPD agenda. Inaction is not an option – the lives, well-being and human rights of women, girls and marginalised groups are at stake."