2023-02 ADDRESSING THE IMPACT of UNINTENDED PREGNANCIES on WOMEN and ADOLESCENT GIRLS
Whereas #1: The United Nations reported that, on November 15, 2022, the global population reached a total of 8 billion people with an estimated increase of 67 million people per year, and
Whereas #2: Worldwide, 52% of pregnancies were unintended (42% in Canada) with 60% of them ending in abortion and an estimated 45% of these abortions being deemed unsafe, leading to maternal deaths and hospitalization, and
Whereas #3: In 2021, 13.3 million babies (10% of the total worldwide births) were born to mothers under the age of 20 years, and
Whereas #4: Unintended adolescent pregnancy is often life-altering, causing these young women to lose opportunities, forcing them into marriage, and having to abandon their education, along with the potential adverse consequences for their own health and wellbeing and those of their children, and
Whereas #5: Unintended pregnancy is embedded in women’s inequality and this, coupled with the domination and control of women’s bodies and the rise in hostility toward sexual rights in many countries, presents a huge negative social impact,
Therefore, be it
Resolved #1: that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopt as policy that action be taken so that there are fewer unintended pregnancies, and be it further
Resolved #2: that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) urge the Government of Canada, in consultation with the Provinces, Territories, and Indigenous governments, assure all materials and programming meet cultural appropriate levels, develop and implement a national strategy to curb the number of unintended pregnancies that includes:
- Delivering support to organizations addressing the issue of unintended pregnancy
- Ensuring equal, affordable access to contraceptives for both men and women
- Promoting sexual and reproductive education through public media
- Supporting women with unintended pregnancies in making informed decisions
- Providing safe, accessible, equal opportunity access to abortion services and emergency contraception
- Empowering women and girls to make affirmative decisions about sex, contraception, and motherhood
Resolved #3: that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Provincial Councils of Women to work within their jurisdictions to promote the education of men and boys as to their responsibilities in preventing unintended pregnancies; and be it further
Resolved #4: that the National Council of Women of Canada ask the International Council of Women to urge its members to develop and implement an international strategy to support women’s health by working to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies.