Respected Ms.Yaoying, Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Family Planning Association, and Respected Ms. Wang Qiaomei, Counsellor of the Department of MCH, NHFPC,

Dear colleagues, friends,

It is a great honor for me to attend the 2017 World Contraception Day Commemoration event hosted by NHFPC and CFPA. It’s a privilege to join representatives from the national government, health providers, private sector, other international agencies the young people and clients to discuss important sexual and reproductive health and rights issues, in particular unintended pregnancy, which has always been the focus of the World Contraception Day.

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young perspon’s potential can be fulfilled. We really appreciate the broad partnerships that join hands with us to advance universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, all of which are crucial for the achievement of the global 2030 agenda.

Around the world, about 16 million girls aged 15-19 give birth each year. In developing countries, out of 100 girls, 19 give birth by age 18 and 3 give birth before age 15. In China, a significant number of abortions take place in China annually, and it is estimated that half of them occur among young people, resulting in long lasting consequences at both individual, societal and economic levels. The high incidences of abortion among unmarried youth are reflective of high rates of unprotected sex and contraceptive failure. At the same time, there have arisen some new challenges after the implementation of the new fertility policies. Due to the lack of proper knowledge on contraception, some married couples have the difficulties in being pregnant again to give second birth for previous repeated abortions. It shows that the unmet need for family planning among married couples is another cause for concern.

The national government of China has very strong will to address sexual and reproductive health challenges faced by the young people and the general population of reproductive age. In addition to the National Programme on Women and Children (2011-2020) and the Healthy China 2030 Planning Outline, the newly announced National Mid to Long Term Youth Development Plan (2016-2020) has also included promotion of sexual and reproductive health. In the Guideline on Young People’s Relationship and Marriage Matters recently issued by National Youth League, Ministry and Civil Affairs and NHFPC, specific measures were proposed on improving access of sexual and reproductive health services and information to young people and the clients of reproductive age through collaborations among health providers, youth workers and community level support, as well innovative information outreach via social media and other channels.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me reiterate UNFPA’s commitments to promote universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. We are pleased to see the recent major policy advances and multi-sectoral approaches to safeguard young people’s reproductive health. We will continue to provide advocacy and programme support together with our national partners, including support to generate reliable data and evidences to inform policy advocacy, promoting comprehensive sexuality education including contraception, among others.

Let’s work together to improve awareness and access to safe, effective and affordable contraceptive choices for young people and clients of reproductive age. Let’s continue to empower young people to be the agents for change and part of the solution in ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

Thank you very much.

Wish the event a great success.