Today, at 3pm in the European Parliament in Brussels, the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights and MEPs for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, will launch the UNFPA’s annual State of World Population (SWOP) report.
The launch will be moderated by Dutch Renew MEP Sophie in't Veld and Croatian S&D MEP Fred Matic, co-chairs of MEPs for Sexual and Reproductive Rights. The report itself will be presented by Ian McFarlane, the UNFPA's Director of the Division for Communications and Strategic Partnerships.
This year, the report tells us that nearly half of all pregnancies worldwide (a total of 121 million) are unintended. For the women and girls affected, the most life-altering reproductive choice—whether or not to become pregnant—is no choice at all, explains the State of World Population 2022 report. The ground-breaking report, “Seeing the Unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy,” warns that this human rights crisis has profound consequences for societies, women and girls and global health.
Over 60% of unintended pregnancies end in abortion and an estimated 45% of all abortions are unsafe, causing 5 – 13% of all maternal deaths, thereby having a major impact on the world’s ability to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. The war in Ukraine and other conflicts and crises around the world are expected to drive an increase in unintended pregnancies, as access to contraception is disrupted and sexual violence increases.
To join the event virtually, please use this Microsoft teams link at 3pm.