This year marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the programme of action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). At the time, in 1994, 179 governments proclaimed that women have the right to make their own decision about whether, when and how often to become pregnant. The programme of action also affirmed that sexual and reproductive health is foundational for economic and social development. 

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNFPA. 

In 2018, we at UNFPA set in motion a strategic effort, based on quality data, to achieve three zeros by 2030: zero unmet need for contraception; zero preventable maternal deaths; and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

This report shows the impact our programmes have had on the lives of women and girls in 155 countries and territories in 2018.