Press releases
Press release
Sudan: Top UN Officials sound alarm at spike in violence against women and girls
05 July 2023
NEW YORK/GENEVA, 5 July 2023 — Senior United Nations officials today voiced shock and condemnation at increasing reports of gender-based violence in Sudan – including conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls – since fighting erupted in the country more than 11 weeks ago.
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Women and girls hit hard by attacks on health in Sudan, UN agencies warn
20 June 2023
New York, 20 June 2023 - The World Health Organization and UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, today warned that the continuing attacks on healthcare facilities, equipment and workers in Sudan are depriving women and girls of life-saving healthcare, with pregnant women hardest hit.
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UNFPA calls for urgent health and protection support for women and girls affected by Sudan crisis
19 June 2023
As the conflict in Sudan enters its third month, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, appeals for $106.7 million to provide lifesaving reproductive health and protection services to women and girls in Sudan and neighbouring countries.
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UNFPA urges international community to put women’s and girls’ rights at the centre of humanitarian response in Syria
14 June 2023
New York, 14 June 2023 – UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, calls on the international community to prioritize the health and rights of women and girls impacted by the Syria crisis as the Brussels VII conference on supporting Syria and the region approaches.
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UNFPA celebrates Catarina Furtado’s 23 years of service as Goodwill Ambassador, global champion for women and girls
18 May 2023
New York, 18 May 2023 – Today, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, recognized and thanked Catarina Furtado for her extraordinary contributions during 23 years of service as a Goodwill Ambassador, fighting for the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls worldwide.
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Global progress in tackling maternal and newborn deaths stalls since 2015: UN
09 May 2023
GENEVA/NEW YORK, 9 May 2023 – Global progress in reducing deaths of pregnant women, mothers and babies has flatlined for eight years due to decreasing investments in maternal and newborn health, according to a new report from the United Nations (UN). The report shows that over 4.5 million women and babies die every year during pregnancy, childbirth or the first weeks after birth - equivalent to 1 death happening every 7 seconds - mostly from preventable or treatable causes if proper care was available.
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Escalating violence in Sudan shuts hospitals and puts 219,000 pregnant women at risk
20 April 2023
New York 20 April 2023 – The heavy fighting which continues in Sudan’s capital Khartoum and across the country is putting tens of thousands of pregnant women in danger, making it too perilous to venture outside their homes to seek urgent care in hospitals and clinics.
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UNFPA report identifies rising population anxiety, urges radical rethink of how countries address changing demographics
19 April 2023
New York, 19 April 2023 – New data reveals population anxieties are widespread and governments are increasingly adopting policies aimed at raising, lowering or maintaining fertility rates. But efforts to influence fertility rates are very often ineffective and can erode women’s rights, according to UNFPA's State of World Population report, released today.
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UN calls for urgent action to address education crisis as global primary school-age population peaks In 2023
10 April 2023
New York, 10 April 2023 – The global population of primary-school-aged children is expected to reach an all-time high of 820 million in 2023. The number of secondary school children is also on the…
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12.6 million women and girls in Yemen need life-saving support
24 February 2023
New York/Geneva, 27 February 2023 – As governments meet in Geneva to raise funds for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Yemen, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, urgently reminds the world of the catastrophic impact eight years of war has had on women and girls. With 12.6 million women in need of lifesaving reproductive health and protection services, UNFPA is appealing for US$70 million to sustain these programmes for women and girls.
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Women and girls still suffering immense hardship as war in Ukraine passes one year mark
24 February 2023
New York/Kyiv, 24 February 2023 – One year on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, warns of the war’s continuing devastating impacts on women and girls.
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A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth: UN agencies
23 February 2023
GENEVA/NEW YORK/WASHINGTON, 23rd February 2023 — Every two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth, according to the latest estimates released in a report by United Nations agencies today. This report, Trends in maternal mortality, reveals alarming setbacks for women’s health over recent years, as maternal deaths either increased or stagnated in nearly all regions of the world.
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