The State of World Population 2017 report bearing the theme “Worlds Apart: Reproductive health and rights in an age of inequality” was launched today at a half day advocacy event organized by UNFPA.

Making opening remarks at the event, Dr. Efrem Tekle, Director of the Maternal and Child Health Directorate with the Ministry of Health, noted that significant differences are observed between urban and rural, rich and poor, and other socioeconomic factors in terms of access to quality health services, including sexual and reproductive health services. He stated that equitable access to quality health services and information is one of the transformation agendas of the five-year Health Sector Transformation Plan the Government of Ethiopia is currently implementing.

“Investing in universal access to reproductive health is a crucial investment in building healthy societies and a more sustainable future,” said Ms. Gillian Mellsop, UNICEF Representative and UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. She went on to say that the United Nations in Ethiopia is firm on strengthening the country’s effort in tackling inequalities by promoting universal access to a core package of sexual and reproductive health services.

A presentation giving highlights of the State of World Population 2017 and one providing an overview of the Ethiopian context related to the theme of the report were made on the basis of which discussions were held.

A music and short drama performance were also presented to the audience pertaining to the theme of the State of World Population 2017.

Representatives of different government offices, development partners, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions and the media were present at the launch event.