PAI Expresses Hope, Urges Action in Wake of Sustainable Development Conference
Washington, DC - September 6, 2002Population Action International released the following statement by its President, Amy Coen, as the World Summit on Sustainable Development came to an end in Johannesburg, South Africa:
“Every year the linkages between population growth, poverty, climate change, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss become more apparent. The value of the recent WSSD negotiations will be measured by how far they take us toward environmental sustainability and the end of poverty.
“We are grateful to those delegates, particularly those from Canada and the European Union, who worked so persistently to restore language that makes clear the links between women’s sexual and reproductive rights and sustainable development. This language will help ensure that access to healthcare – particularly reproductive healthcare – remains enshrined as a basic right for all women, everywhere.
“Each year over 3 million adults die from causes related to poor reproductive health – fully 98 percent of these deaths take place in the developing world. Poverty cannot be eradicated unless reproductive health needs are addressed.
“The formula is simple, affordable — and it works. Access to reproductive health services, including family planning, benefits the health and economic welfare of individuals and their families. And through its impact on family size, family planning benefits the planet by helping slow population growth, thereby easing human impact on the natural resources upon which all life depends.
“Women, men, children, and families lie at the heart of sustainable development efforts. Their health and well-being is critical to the health and well-being of this planet. This Summit acknowledged this link. Now, however, it is time for world leaders to work together in earnest in fulfilling the objectives laid out in Rio ten years ago and reaffirmed in Johannesburg, and bring about real change for people, and the planet.”
Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.
