The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has emphasized that guaranteeing access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is fundamental for building sustainable, inclusive societies. Speaking at the 2025 World Population Day event in Bauchi, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem outlined the urgent need for governments to create opportunities that allow individuals to achieve their fertility goals, experience the benefits of parenting, and support family wellbeing.
Dr. Kanem, represented by the agency’s Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, explained that when people are able to make informed choices about their reproductive lives, it fosters hope, protects rights, and empowers both parents and children to thrive. She described the UNFPA’s mission as ensuring every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person can fulfill their potential through empowerment and education.
Key ways to support these goals include:
- Expanding family-friendly policies, such as affordable, accessible childcare and parental leave.
- Encouraging shared caregiving responsibilities among parents, including fathers.
- Investing in comprehensive sexuality education to enable informed decision-making and healthy relationships.
- Building trust and unity across generations to support fairness and understanding for all age groups.
The 2025 World Population Day theme, “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World,” stresses the critical role of youth in shaping the future. Hajiya Amina Katagum, Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination in Bauchi State, echoed this focus, calling for active listening and action by government and stakeholders to meet the needs and aspirations of young people so they can meaningfully contribute to society.
UNFPA’s recent reports point out that limited healthcare access and constrained reproductive rights remain major barriers for many Nigerians. Despite existing challenges including unmet demand for family planning and restricted access to services efforts are ongoing to strengthen policies, service delivery, and cross-sectoral collaboration to improve outcomes for all.
UNFPA continues to work with Nigerian governments to:
- Expand reproductive health services
- Empower women and youth
- Promote gender equality, poverty reduction, and community development
This continued commitment underscores the strong link between sexual and reproductive health rights and the achievement of sustainable, equitable progress in Nigeria and globally.