The COVID-19 pandemic brought economies and lives to a standstill, including efforts to fulfill the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2-year-long lockdown has resulted in delays in the implementation of projects and policies. Despite this, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said that these setbacks should not stop the government and the private sector from continuing to work towards the SDGs.
“The pandemic has been a big setback in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2030. The pandemic has been a big setback in terms of 2030, but it cannot become an excuse for us to give up on the understanding that inequality is at the root of a lot of difficulties that you face in the world today,” UNFPA Executive Director and UN Undersecretary General Natalia Kanem said.
Kanem noted that there have been significant headways in tackling gender equality and promoting sexual and reproductive health with the passage of the reproductive health law and improved sexual education and maternal health clinics. However, obstacles remain which need to be addressed by the government because addressing these concerns will result in a better life, not just for women, but for all.
“Looking at the global picture, the world loses trillions of dollars every year because of domestic violence and abuse. You can see the potential when women are free from sexual, physical, emotional harm and violence. The prescription for disaster is not just for the girl herself. There’s abundant evidence to show that the next generation will also be affected,” Kanem explained.
“When you look after women and girls, the men benefit. The society benefits, and the economy benefits,” she added.
Aside from government partnerships and collaboration with the private sector, educational institutions also play a significant role in creating a societal change. “The UNFPA works with government and with education systems to develop the lens of how one equips a young person to understand their body and their biology. We also teach them about their rights across the spectrum because you cannot isolate one aspect of human experience from another,” Kanem said.
The UNFPA acknowledged that there is still a long road ahead, especially with recent developments. However, the organization firmly believes that laying the groundwork today will help accelerate development in the future. “Every effort must be made to assume that the young people of this country will be able to contribute. Will be able to earn their livelihood. Will be able to play their role in making the recovery lasting, and then figuring out how to protect the community in the future,” Kanem said.
