The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994 marked a turning point in how we approach sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The Programme of Action acknowledged that reliable, timely and internationally comparable data form the basis for policy and programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
There have been significant advancements in data collection and monitoring on this topic. SRHR research benefits greatly from the availability of many individual-level data points from cross-national standardized datasets collected at frequent intervals. Comparative analysis using these global datasets has been critical for the field to understand and track trends in fertility, maternal mortality, contraceptive use, unintended pregnancies and other reproductive health indicators within countries, compare across countries, serve as inputs for further analysis and provide relevant evidence to inform advocacy and guide policymakers in decision-making for financing and the health system.
When data collection systems and methods utilize individual-level data, analyses can account for multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and marginalization faced by women and girls in accessing SRH services. Such evidence is essential to informing states’ implementation of the ICPD programme of action.
Overall, the advancements in data and monitoring since the ICPD have significantly improved our understanding of trends in fertility, contraceptive use, unintended pregnancies, maternal morbidity and mortality, reproductive health needs and the effectiveness of interventions. These data play a vital role in advocating for SRHR, informing policies, allocating resources efficiently, and ultimately improving the lives of millions around the world. Nevertheless, much more needs to be done to ensure data and monitoring are routinely disaggregated to ensure no one is left behind and to try to reach the furthest behind first.
Objectives of panel discussion
- To review progress and challenges on SRHR since ICPD based on evidence from global datasets
- To identify key needs for improvements in data and evidence for global monitoring
- To highlight examples of how data has been used for policy-making and advocacy
Speakers include:
- Vladimira Kantorova, Population Division, DESA, United Nations
- Jonathan Bearak, Guttmacher Institute
- Jenny Cresswell, WHO/HRP
- Onikepe Owolabi, Guttmacher Institute
- Moderator: Nelly Munyasia, Executive Director, Reproductive Health Network, Kenya
