China initiative offers platform to protect women’s rights

BEIJING: The chief of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said yesterday the Belt and Road Initiative provides a new co-operation platform on protecting women’s basic rights and youth development.

Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the UNFPA, said the UNFPA has maintained long-term co-operation with China, and on Sunday signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese government on enhancing co-operation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

He called on all countries along the Belt and Road to invest more in education and health, and encourage young people to engage in their countries’ development, as well as the implementation of all activities along the Belt and Road.

The UNFPA is committed to ensuring sexual and reproductive health rights and promoting the development of young people, he said, adding the Belt and Road Initiative can provide more opportunities for the UNFPA to have direct dialogue with related countries.

Commenting on the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Osotimehin said many women and girls still face gender inequality, sexual violence, and early marriage

In order to achieve the goals set in the agenda, the UNFPA needs to address these problems.

“We believe the ability to build human capacity in every possible way, particularly for those more vulnerable, such as women and girls, is really important.

“For us to achieve the 2030 agenda, that is something we must pursue.”