UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres revealed that approximately 800 women die unnecessarily each day worldwide from complications during pregnancy and childbirth, with the majority occurring in developing nations. Guterres shared this statistic on World Population Day, commemorated annually on July 11.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, prompting Guterres to call for accelerated efforts and investments to fulfill its commitments. He acknowledged advancements such as increased access to modern contraception and a 34% reduction in maternal deaths since 2000, attributing much of this progress to women’s movements and civil society advocacy.
Despite these gains, Guterres cautioned that progress has been uneven and inconsistent. He emphasized the ongoing tragedy of preventable maternal deaths and expressed concern about potential setbacks in areas like legislation against female genital mutilation.
Under the theme “Leave no one behind, count everyone,” this year’s World Population Day underscores the importance of data collection and financial investment in achieving sustainable development goals. Guterres urged countries to utilize the upcoming Summit of the Future to mobilize resources effectively and ensure comprehensive implementation of the ICPD Program of Action worldwide.
