Standing up for the rights and choices of all women and girls

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has marked this year’s World Population Day (July 11) with the theme “Rights and Choices are the answer: Whether baby boom or bust, the solution lies in prioritising the reproductive health and rights of all people.” The message calls for measures to remove gaps in the provision of sexual and reproductive health services, and to protect the health of women and girls amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A medical worker provides consultation on reproductive health for women in Tan Trao commune, Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province. (Photo taken before April 27, 2021 by Minh Ha).
A medical worker provides consultation on reproductive health for women in Tan Trao commune, Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province. (Photo taken before April 27, 2021 by Minh Ha).

According to the UNFPA, the COVID-19 pandemic may have lasting consequences on the population. A UNFPA research in March showed that an estimated 12 million women globally have experienced disruptions to family planning services. For some, it has led to a postponement in childbearing. For others, disruptions in health care have led to unintended pregnancies.

Although we have yet to get a full picture of the impact of COVID-19 on fertility, these trends have provoked alarmist concerns about baby booms or busts. What should cause alarm is that women cannot exercise their sexual and reproductive rights and choices – whether due to health services being interrupted, or because gender discrimination prevents them from making decisions about accessing health care.

In addition, many countries are concerned that the Covid-19 pandemic will seriously affect fertility rates because family planning services are not being provided in places which are in lockdown to prevent and control the pandemic.

In response to the World Population Day 2021, Vietnam is hosting a range of activities to improve reproductive health care services for women and girls, adolescents and young people; increasing the number of new users of modern contraceptive methods; firmly maintaining the replacement fertility level and reducing the sex imbalance at birth; enhancing healthcare services for the elderly; and increasing the use of screening, diagnosis and treatment services for some antenatal and neonatal diseases.

Reproductive and sexual health services are still being deployed and provided to the people in line with all regulations on pandemic prevention and control. In addition, communication campaigns are being held to popularise information on reproductive and sexual health services for people in remote areas, seas, islands and coastal areas.

According to the General Department of Population and Family Planning under the Ministry of Health, banners and slogans celebrating World Population Day have been set up across major streets in cities and provinces nationwide.

Activities held within the framework of the day must ensure the safety of participants following all regulations on the prevention and control of COVID-19.