MEDIA RELEASE
27 October, 2011
The United Nations State of the World Population 2011 Report reveals the world population will reach seven billion this week and highlights gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls as a critical factor contributing to a sustainable future and the eradication of poverty.
With population growth exceeding economic growth in many of the world’s poorest countries, greater investment is needed to empower women in these countries to join important decision-making, with greater participation in their family and community lives and in making decisions about their bodies and sexual and reproductive health.
In developing countries experiencing high population growth rates, women often have limited or no access to education and family planning which means they have less control over the size of their family, contributing to the ongoing cycle of poverty.
‘Women and girls will create lasting change if they have equal opportunity to their basic rights – to gain an education, access health services, contribute to income generation, participate in community life and be encouraged to express their opinions,’ CARE Australia CEO Julia Newton-Howes said.
‘We know that the majority of children missing out on education around the world are girls yet an educated girl is less likely to become infected with HIV, more likely to have fewer, healthier, more educated children later in life, and can earn an income to play a vital role in overcoming poverty.’
Marie Stopes International Australia Spokesperson Mina Barling says, ‘when women have access to voluntary family planning and services, they will be able to decide the number and spacing of their children. We know this means smaller families, which has many flow on effects including expanded opportunities for women.’
‘Ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted brings cost savings and benefits to maternal and child health and poverty reduction. It makes economic sense for donors and wealthy countries like Australia to continue to increase investment in maternal, sexual and reproductive health education in developing countries.’
CARE and Marie Stopes International Australia call for greater support for programs that empower women around the world to be able to make informed decisions about their lives and their bodies so they can contribute to a future free from poverty.
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Media Note:
CARE Australia’s CEO, Dr Julia Newton-Howes, is available for interview.
Marie Stopes International Australia, Spokesperson Manager, Mina Barling is available for interview.
CARE Media Contact: Georgie Sacks, 0419 567 777
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Marie Stopes Media Contact: Communications Manager, 0421 097 150
