In her remarks at the CSW65 high-level event "An inter-generational dialogue on child, early and forced marriage," UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem explained how child marriage is a manifestation of gender inequality that robs girls of say and choice and appealed for a gender-equal world in which girls would know their rights and value and be empowered to make their own informed decisions. 

In remarks for “Bodily Autonomy and SRHR for Generation Equality: What Kind of Leadership is Needed?” at the 65th session of the Commission of the Status of Women, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem emphasized the importance of women’s and girls’ right to make decisions about their bodies. The foundation of gender equality, bodily autonomy empowers women and girls politically and economically, leading to prosperous, peaceful societies from which we all benefit.

At a UNFPA-supported photo exhibition on the harms of female genital mutilation, advocate Ifrah Ahmed spoke about her own experience and her efforts to end the practice.