THE United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) 2021 flagship report – State of World Population – was launched in cooperation with the Home Affairs Ministry and the HCM Central Youth Union. For the first time, a UN report focused on bodily autonomy without fear of violence or having someone else decide for a person. The report shows that in countries where data is available, only 55% of women are fully empowered to make choices over healthcare, contraception and sexual relations. Only 71% of countries guarantee access to overall maternity care, while only 56% have laws and policies supporting comprehensive sexuality education. Addressing the launch, Nguyen Tuong Lam, secretary of the Central Youth Union, said: “The theme of this year’s World Population Report, ‘My body is my own’, turns the spotlight on bodily autonomy.

Source: The Star April 23, 2021 01:30 UTC