Talatona - The secretary of State for Family and Women Promotion, Alcina Kindanda, said Tuesday, in Luanda, that the country's development depends largely on the materialization of gender equality.
In this regard, she said it was necessary for the government to continue working with churches, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society so that men and women can enjoy the same rights and duties, benefiting equally.
Speaking during the presentation of the World Population Status Report 2023, the government official said that the Angolan government is part of several legal instruments on women's human rights, based on the principle of equality.
To her, the importance of women in sustainable development is an objective and urgent fact that links communities and institutions to raise awareness of their role in which everyone's contribution is valued.
"This task will be achieved with the support of social partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to achieve national and international targets, whose purpose is to provide the population with a better quality of life", she explained.
The UNFPA resident representative, Mady Biaye, said that in countries with rapid population growth, such as Angola, with a current rate of 3%, empowering women through education and family planning can bring enormous benefits through human capital and inclusive economic growth.
According to Mady Biaye, Angola has made progress in terms of women's empowerment, however, it must accelerate the advancement of gender equality through access to sexual and reproductive health, as well as develop equitable labour policies and standards in the workplace and at home, which will result in healthier families, a stronger economy and a resilient society.
For example, the UN official said that the modern contraceptive prevalence rate in Angola is the lowest in the Southern Africa region with 12,5% and 38% of married women who are not satisfied with family planning.
He believes that if half of these needs are met by 2030, this would prevent around 1,300 women's deaths, 99.000 clandestine abortions and 517 000 unexpected pregnancies.
The presentation ceremony of the World Population Status Report 2023 was held in the scope of the World Population Day which is annually celebrated on July, 11, and focused on unlocking the power of gender equality this year´s motto was "Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world's infinite possibilities".
According to UNFPA, gender-based discrimination harms everyone, wheter women, girls, men or boys, adding that investing in women generates benefits to all people, communities and countries.
It emphasises that promoting gender equality improves maternal health and women's abilities to make good reproductive choices, which are crucial to meeting all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The world's population is projected to reach 8 billion people by 15 November 2022, signalling major improvements in public health that have reduced the risk of dying and increased life expectancy. KAM/MAG//MRA/jmc
