Cairo - 26 August 2020 - UNFPA, IPPF AWR and the other members of the Arab World Advocacy Network (AWAN) for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights noted that integrating sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights into their Covid-19 response and recovery so far have fallen short and stress that it is now more important than ever before to realize women’s and girls’ choices and rights to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

AWAN is the Arab World Advocacy Network for Sexual & Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights (SRH & RR) co-founded by UNFPA Arab States Regional Office and IPPF Arab World Region with the membership of several organizations that share the same objectives in terms of advocating for women, girls’ and young persons’ SRH needs and RR.

AWAN acknowledges the unprecedented challenge that Covid-19 poses and stand in solidarity with women and girls who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Women account for 70% of health workers, and they perform nearly five times as much unpaid care work as men, putting them at a greater risk for contracting the virus.

AWAN reiterates that it is critical that Arab governments ensure the continuity of essential sexual and reproductive health services, respecting the reproductive rights of women and girls and their right to bodily integrity and autonomy.

 

More in the attached document.