The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Report: Addressing Women’s “Demographic Anxiety”
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has highlighted the issue of “demographic anxiety” faced by women around the world. In the Global South, women are pressured to have fewer children, while in more prosperous countries with declining birth rates, women are encouraged to have more. This report emphasizes the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address these challenges.
The Case of the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic, despite having a fertility rate similar to that of a rich country (2.2 children per woman), faces significant issues related to teenage pregnancies and maternal mortality. According to the latest data from the National Statistics Office, 20.4% of girls between 15 and 19 years old in the country are mothers, higher than the regional average of 18% in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Teenage pregnancies
- Maternal mortality
Yésica Prensa, a 26-year-old Dominican citizen, has experienced many challenges related to motherhood. Her story exemplifies the suffering faced by women in the country. She became a wife and mother at a young age without being able to make decisions about when and how many children to have. Lack of access to accurate information about contraceptives in a country where abortion is prohibited further complicates the situation.
Prensa’s Story
Prensa lost her first child shortly after birth and went on to have three more children. She dropped out of school and her partner abandoned her, leaving her without adequate care and support. She lives in a rural community with limited economic opportunities and recently experienced an attempted rape in her own home.
- Loss of first child
- Dropout from school
- Lack of support
- Attempted rape
Prensa’s experience reflects the challenges faced by many Dominican women. They are often unable to make decisions about their own bodies and lack access to contraceptives. Sterilization is a commonly used method in the country, but many women undergo the procedure without understanding its irreversible nature.
Fighting Myths and Taboos
Yaquelín Félix, project coordinator for the Nursing Development Foundation (Fuden), works in rural communities to reduce adolescent pregnancy and maternal mortality. She emphasizes the importance of dispelling myths and taboos surrounding contraceptive methods. Many girls are unable to obtain birth control pills due to secrecy around their sexual activity. Félix advocates for the intradermal method as a suitable option but acknowledges the need for better education and awareness.
- Dispelling myths and taboos
- Improving contraceptive education
Adolescent pregnancy and childbirth complications are leading causes of death among young women globally. The Dominican Republic has a disproportionately high maternal mortality rate for an upper-middle-income country, despite 98% of deliveries being attended to by qualified personnel.
The Impact on Education and Future Opportunities
Babies born to teenage mothers are more prone to health problems and even death. In the case of Prensa, her children face a challenging future due to her inability to complete her education. Only 45.9% of teenage mothers in the Dominican Republic attend high school or university, compared to 89.8% of teenage girls who have never given birth. This inequality limits their opportunities for development and leads to lower earning potential.
- Impact on education
- Lower earning potential
Prensa regrets not being able to finish high school and dreams of having a profession. However, without family support and financial resources, she is unable to resume her studies. The cycle of poverty continues to trap her and many other young mothers in similar situations.
Addressing the Issue: Support and Education
Micaela Parras, program manager at the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) in the Dominican Republic, stresses the importance of supporting healthcare personnel and organizations working in rural communities where teenage pregnancies are prevalent. The AECID has allocated funding to support projects aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy and providing family planning information to young women and girls.
- Supporting healthcare personnel and organizations
- Providing family planning information
Yohanni Beras Pérez, a community leader in Mata los Indios, has overcome the challenges of early marriage and teenage pregnancy through education. She serves as an example for other young women in her community, encouraging them to postpone motherhood and prioritize their education.
The Cost of Teenage Pregnancy
The UNFPA’s 2018 study revealed that teenage pregnancy and early motherhood in the Dominican Republic cost approximately $240 million annually. This includes healthcare expenses and the economic impact of limited job opportunities for young mothers, who earn significantly less than women who give birth as adults.
A Call for Change
The stories of women like Prensa highlight the inequality and denial of rights faced by women in the Dominican Republic. It is crucial to address these issues and work towards achieving the SDGs to ensure a better future for all women and girls.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed in the Article:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
- SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:
- Percentage of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who are mothers (Indicator for SDG 3.7)
- Percentage of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who have access to contraceptives (Indicator for SDG 3.7)
- Percentage of women of reproductive age who are married or in a domestic partnership and have undergone sterilization without knowing it was irreversible (Indicator for SDG 3.7)
- Percentage of girls who become mothers between the ages of 15 and 19 and attend high school or university (Indicator for SDG 4.1)
- Percentage of women who earn less due to teenage pregnancy compared to women who became pregnant as adults (Indicator for SDG 10.2)
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | – Percentage of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who are mothers – Percentage of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who have access to contraceptives – Percentage of women of reproductive age who are married or in a domestic partnership and have undergone sterilization without knowing it was irreversible |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. | Percentage of girls who become mothers between the ages of 15 and 19 and attend high school or university |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | – Percentage of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 who have access to contraceptives – Percentage of women who earn less due to teenage pregnancy compared to women who became pregnant as adults |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Percentage of women who earn less due to teenage pregnancy compared to women who became pregnant as adults |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | N/A | N/A |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: english.elpais.com
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