News

Serving survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

19 May 2021

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem speaks to a network of humanitarian responders working to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence. © UNFPA DRC/Luis Tato

News

After childbirth trauma, Afghan women emerge from life in shadows

07 June 2016

Noorjahan laughs as she recovers from fistula surgery in Malalai Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Now, she says, "I can live." © Andrea Bruce/ NOOR

News

Girl advocates in India step up to protect health, human rights amid the pandemic

18 May 2021

Malati, 15, teaches proper hand-washing as part of the campaign she launched in her village. © UNFPA India

News

Laotian LGBTQIA+ youth find peace, purpose and community

17 May 2021

Education programmes taught Toutou, 18, about sexual and reproductive health and helped with questions about her sexual orientation. © UNFPA Lao People's Democratic Republic

News

In crisis after crisis, mothers around the world are asked to do the impossible

05 May 2021

A new mother of twins is attended by maternal health nurse Ana Paula Francisco Adrade. Nurse Adrade says it has been challenging to get enough gloves and face masks to safely care for pregnant women. © UNFPA Mozambique

News

Global shortage of 900,000 midwives threatens women’s lives and health, new report shows

04 May 2021

Midwives with a mobile team in Marib, Yemen, provide life-saving services in a displacement camp. © UNFPA Yemen

News

Studies show severe toll of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health, rights around the world

21 April 2021

School closures have put young people at risk, researchers say. Pictured, a UNFPA-supported boarding school in Kenya, photographed in November 2020. © UNFPA ESARO

News

Bodily autonomy: Busting 7 myths that undermine individual rights and freedoms

14 April 2021

A survivor of childhood violence in Ghana, during a conversation about her experience. Violations of bodily autonomy can leave lasting emotional scars. © UNFPA/George Koranteng

News

Serbian women with disabilities shatter taboos, transform health services amid pandemic

12 April 2021

Mónika Zsúnyi and other advocates are making their local communities and health systems more inclusive. Image courtesy of Mónika Zsúnyi

Publications

State of World Population 2021

My Body is My Own - Claiming the right to autonomy and self-determination

Publication date: 14 April 2021

Author: UNFPA

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