Australia is pleased to participate in the Fifty-Sixth Session of the Commission on Population and Development, according to the Hon. Mitch Fifield, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Australian Mission to the United Nations.
Australia is still steadfastly dedicated to carrying out the Nairobi Summit pledges, as well as the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the recommendations of its evaluations. In order to fulfill our international responsibilities to education, health, and inclusive, sustainable development, this is crucial for human rights.
This meeting is being held at a time when there are more than 8 billion people in the world, 60% of whom are young people, our largest-ever youth cohort. Population, education, and sustainable development is the fifty-sixth session’s special theme, and it is highly pertinent in this situation. It conveys the message that education is fundamental to human growth and is essential to advancing diversity, gender equality, social inclusion, and respect for human rights.
Keeping girls in school is most effective methods to help eradicate harmful practices like child, early, and forced marriage as well as sexual and gender-based violence. We also know that education is connected to better health and social outcomes.
Australia is dedicated to supporting high-quality education and ongoing learning for all people, including underserved groups and populations. We applaud the Secretary-General’s Report for emphasizing the importance of education in giving young people the knowledge they need to make decisions, particularly those that may have an impact on their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
There are still far too many young people who lack access to thorough sexuality education. In order to help avoid sexual and gender-based violence, including harmful behaviors, it is necessary to give young people the information they need to make decisions about their own lives and bodies. It is also a crucial element of a larger sexual and reproductive health and rights package that can aid in the prevention of early and unplanned pregnancies as well as STDs like HIV.
Girls and women have the right to participate completely and equally in societies that are rich, productive, and healthy. The Australian government has pledged that at least 80% of our aid funding will go toward achieving gender equality. This includes initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s and girls’ access to healthcare and education, as well as their rights and sexual and reproductive health.
Quality and inclusive education must remain a top priority, as must the expansion of everyone’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The safety, health, and economic possibilities of women and girls are at stake due to the ongoing erosion of sexual and reproductive health and rights, which in turn limits the possibility for national growth and development.
This is not what we all want for a peaceful and prosperous planet. In order to safeguard, advance, and uphold human rights and realize the goals of the 2030 Agenda, it is imperative that we all work together.
We sincerely thank you, Chair, and the Commission on Population and Development for leading the Commission during this crucial period. We also urge all member states to support an outcome that upholds the credibility of the Commission and its mandate.
