The 2005 State of the World Population Report focuses on women’s empowerment and gender equality, very important cornerstones of the new Millenium Development Goals. It carries a simple but powerful message: Gender equality reduces poverty, saves and improve lives.

The launch of the report coincides with the 60th anniversary of the United Nations Charter, which, among other things, enshrined the equal rights of women and men. It comes a month after the 2005 World Summit in New York, where world leaders pledged to reduce extreme poverty and achieve the Millenium Development Goals by 2015.

However, we cannot make poverty history until we stop violence against women and girls. We cannot make poverty history until women enjoy their full social, cultural, economic and political rights.

The report paints a sobering global picture of women dying from preventable pregnancy – related causes: lack of access to modern contraceptive technologies, in many instances because of toxic social perceptions and harmful cultural practices; persistent gender barriers to education, especially in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa; pervasive gender-based violence affecting one in three women worldwide; and, continuing lack of access by women and girls to economic power and political participation.

On the other hand, the report also presents concrete alternatives.

First, we must expand education for girls and women. Completing school increases women’s income-earning potential, reduces mother and child deaths and improves overall reproductive health. Educated girls will likely delay marriage and childbearing, resulting in better health and education for the next generation.

Second, we must improve womens reproductive health. Family planning services allow women to delay childbearing so that they can complete their education, work and acquire skills and experience. This gives people the freedom and means to plan the number of children they desire, leading to smaller families, slower population growth and reduced pressure on natural resources.

Third, women and girls must have access to economic opportunities. This increases the capcity and earning power of women, who tend to reinvest these gains in the welfare of their children and families.

Fourth, the reproductive and human rights of women must be recognized. Women;s rights are human rights. At the same time, reproductive health is a human right and all individuals have the right to make decisions free of discrimination, coercion and violence, the right to freely and responsible determine the number, timing and spacing of children, the right to have the means to do so and the right of individuals to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Fifth, nations must invest in the youth. At the same time, population, development and reproductive health programs must consider men and boys as partners. Policymakers and the international community must invest in young people’s education, skills training, reproductive health and employment. Changes in male sexual behavior are also critical in preventing the spread of HIV. The care and support of an informed husband or partner improves pregnancy and childbirth outcomes.

Sixth, we must and end gender-based violence. Effective law enforcement and a stronger judiciary, gender – sensitive education and mobilization of communities and opinion leaders are needed to prevent violence. Men must also be engaged to take a strong stand on the issue.

In the Philippines, UNFPA’s 6th Country Programme of Assistance focuses on population and development, reprodutive health and gender. It targets poorest and most vulnerable groups, particularly women and children so they can have access to good quality, sustainable, gender-responsive, rights-based, and integrated reproductive health services and information.

Partnering with national and local governments, civil society organizations, community and religious leaders, parliamentarians and the media, our current programme also aims to contribute to strengthening institutional mechanisms and socio-cultural practices to promote and protect the rights of women and girls and to combat Gender-based Violence and other harmful cultural practices.

We firmly believe that the promise of gender equality must be fulfilled and the time to act is now.