On Friday 20th May 2022, UNFPA The Gambia in collaboration with the National Population Commission Secretariat, held the in-country launch of the 2022 State of World Population report. This annual UNFPA flagship report documents current trends and issues affecting the world’s population. The theme for this year's report is "Seeing the unseen: the case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy.” The report finds that one in two pregnancies globally take place in the bodies of people who did not affirmatively choose pregnancy or motherhood, who were not open to the prospect of having a child at that time, with that partner and in those circumstances.
Delivering the launch statement on behalf of His Excellency the Vice President, the Honourable Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Madam Fatou Kinteh shared that “the world continues to pay the looming price of unintended pregnancies and The Gambia is not an exception. Thus, the report is a reminder of the need to take urgent & effective action to combat unintended pregnancies.”
According to the UNFPA Country Representative, Ms. Ndeye Rose Sarr, “25.3 percent of women aged 15-49 in The Gambia have had unintended pregnancies.” In addition to lack of access to modern contraceptive methods, Ms. Sarr noted that unintended pregnancies are also influenced by Sexual Violence, reproductive coercion, and stigma among other factors. She used the occasion to call for increased engagement of men, boys, religious and traditional leaders and transforming social norms, so that pregnancy is by choice, not by chance for every woman.
On his part, the Programme Manager of the Gambia Family Planning Association, Mr. Momodou Jim Njie, emphasised that, “changing the narrative around unintended pregnancies starts at home.” He shared that we must empower young people to make informed choices about their Sexual and Reproductive Health and ensure the availability of information and services that are friendly to all who seek them.
UNFPA remains committed to continue supportting the Government of The Gambia and other partners to address the root causes of unintended pregnancies and ensure that women and girls live healthy and dignified lives, with their fundamental human rights always guaranteed.
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Media contact: Haddy Jonga – Programme Analyst, Communications jonga@unfpa.org
