UNFPA, AL Launch “8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: Case for Rights, Choices” Report

In collaboration with and Arab League (AL), United Nations Population Fund (UNPF) launched on May a report that identifies rising population anxiety and addresses changing demographics.

The landmark report entitled: “8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: The Case for Rights and Choices” calls for a radical rethink of how population numbers are framed – urging politicians and media to abandon overblown narratives about population booms and busts., according to a statment recently issued by UN.

The latest report shows that a staggering 44 percent of partnered women and girls in Arab countries do not have the right to make informed decisions about their bodies when it comes to having sex, using contraception, and seeking health care; and an estimated 257 million women worldwide have an unmet need for safe, reliable contraception.

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem said: “Women’s bodies should not be held captive to population targets.," noting that they have the right to freely make their own reproductive choices

“In order build thriving and inclusive societies, regardless of population size, we must radically rethink how we talk about and plan for population change,” she added.