1994 ICPD Conference: Historic shift, essential 30 years later
In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development marked a historic shift for sexual and reproductive health and rights. Now 30 years later, decision-makers, civil society organisations, and UN agencies met to recommit to the ICPD agenda.
Three decades ago, representatives from 179 countries gathered and adopted a Programme of Action that was groundbreaking in its approach focusing on individuals' sexuality and reproduction. This took place in Cairo at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
Today, in 2024, it remains more important than ever to reaffirm the commitments made and build on them, to realise sexual and reproductive rights for all. Last week, stakeholders gathered in New York to assess progress on the Programme of Action adopted thirty years ago.
History of RFSU's involvement in ICPD
In 1994, RFSU played a role in influencing global policy as part of the Swedish delegation at the Cairo Conference, where UN member states developed the Programme of Action. The programme serves as the foundation for efforts to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide. It addresses actions to enhance the situation of young girls, women's status, adolescent well-being, and gender equality. These are identified as fundamental components for improving the health of the population. However, several countries did have reservations about various paragraphs of the document, mainly regarding women's sexual rights, abortion, and girls' inheritance rights.
Outcome of the 57:th session of CPD
Every year since 1994, states have come together at the United Nations to assess the implementation of the ICPD agenda. Last week marked the 57:th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD.) RFSU's policy advisor Linnea Håkansson shares her reflections from the event.
"Thirty years after the conference in Cairo, the world has evolved and the ICPD agenda needs to be addressed with today’s realities and challenges in mind. We therefore called for more commitments that could further improve the lives of women, girls and structurally excluded groups. Progress on these matters was however limited at this year’s Commission. The adoption of the Political Declaration nonetheless includes important calls for the realization of human rights for all and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. It sends a strong political message that the ICPD Programme of Action is critical to ensure that we can realise the human rights for all.”
What we want now
On the 30th anniversary of the ICPD Programme of Action, RFSU together with our partners and allies, call for renewed commitment and urgent action from member states to advance the ICPD agenda. We cannot afford to stagnate as the uncertainties and multiple crises that we face today, demand that we urgently advance the ICPD agenda and Programme of Action to guarantee the realisation of rights for all.
