UNFPA: Every year, 121 million pregnancies are unintended

The United Nations Population Fund launched Friday in Dakar its report on the state of the world population 2022. A study which, this year looked into the neglected problem of unwanted pregnancies estimated each year around 121 million in the world with a 60% risk of maternal death . Figures that are chilling and enormous consequences especially for Africa.

"If young people are decimated by unintentional pregnancies, this is the development that is slowed down, their education is hampered, their contribution to socio-economic life is paralyzed" , enumerates Dr Jean-Pierre Makelele, deputy representative of the 'UNFPA in Senegal. "In short, somewhere, in terms of cost, it's a loss".

An alarming observation, and for UNFPA, it is time to react. Hence the decision to highlight this problem of unwanted pregnancies, particularly in West and Central Africa, in the report on the state of the world population 2022. The UN organization thus challenges the public authorities and all the fringes of the African population for a global reaction.

"If we also want to take advantage of the opportunity of the demographic dividend, now is the time to act on the levers that will accelerate the reduction of all the psychological, medical, economic, social and educational consequences that derive from non-pregnancy. intentional ," explains Huguette Gnakadja, executive secretary of the Benin Women's Institute.

Among these levers, education, training, funding to support initiatives in favor of women. But for Guinean activist Kadiatou Konaté, what is needed above all is real political will.

"If the decision makers agree to ensure the application of the laws, it means that we will evolve", declares Kadiatou Konaté, executive director of the club of young girls leaders of Guinea.

"It is not enough to pass laws, we must ensure that they are applied. We say so much do not pass a law that you are not able to apply. It's like deceiving international opinion, and even national "However, we no longer need to be deceived. We have the reflex to understand things, we must ensure that they are applied. If the leaders are committed to passing laws, signing agreements, they must also be able to apply them as they should for the good of the population."

A population that hopes, like UNFPA, to move the lines, by emphasizing this scourge of unwanted pregnancies.