In response to COVID-19, social development dialogues re-energized advocacy efforts to advance disability inclusion in development on the global, regional, and national levels,  as well as humanitarian settings.

The global pandemic is exposing pre-existing inequalities. During normal times, persons with disabilities face more discrimination, violence, and barriers to access information, education, and services while they should be able to equally access all services.

Twenty-five years ago, the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) put people’s rights at the heart of development and emphasized that empowering women and girls as a key to ensuring the well-being of individuals, families, nations and our world. The world has witnessed significant progress in implementing the ICPD Programme of Action since 1994. Despite the impressive gains, additional efforts are still needed to reach those who have been left behind.

In 1994, a global revolution started in Cairo at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). World leaders recognized individuals’ right to make their reproductive choices freely and responsibly, and agreed that women’s empowerment is a precondition to development. For the first time, the ICPD Programme of Action introduced a rights-based approach to the nexus between population and development. On ICPD’s 20th anniversary, the Arab states came together to renew their commitment to its revolutionary agenda within the context of region-specific challenges.

This year’s State of the World Population (SWOP) report comes at the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNFPA, the UN agency for sexual and reproductive health, and the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). The report analyzes the progress the world has made regarding the promises of the ICPD including putting individuals in charge of their own reproductive decisions and empowering women and girls as a precondition for development.