At the eighth global parliamentarians' conference on population and development, which concluded on Friday 12 April, 172 parliamentarians from 112 countries issued a forward-looking inclusive declaration confirming their commitment to upholding universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, as was agreed at the landmark International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo in 1994.
In the Oslo Declaration, the parliamentarians recognized the ICPD Programme of Action as "a beacon of hope," and celebrated the progress that has been made for women and girls in the three decades since it was adopted. But they also pointed out that crises and polarization are shaking the world, and require them to set out an ambitious vision for the future they want to help create in their legislatures.
The parliamentarians emphasized the importance of ensuring comprehensive sexuality education, ending gender-based violence and achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services, including access to safe abortion services. They also committed to working with and for women, girls and adolescents in all their diversity to safeguard their right to bodily autonomy, and to address harmful social and gender norms.
The declaration recognized technology's huge potential for strengthening health and data systems. It included a commitment to promoting women's safe participation in the digital space and to seeking to ensure that artificial intelligence prioritizes ethics and human rights, and addresses biases that impact women, girls and marginalized populations. And it made a strong case for the value of investing in family planning and maternal health in developing countries.
Taking place against a backdrop of 30 years of impressive progress on women's health and human rights that has recently stagnated and is facing concerted opposition, the conference provided a platform for like-minded parliamentarians from around the world to find commonalities in their work and build a powerful joint advocacy tool to advance the unfinished ICPD agenda.
- Access the Oslo Declaration here: https://ipciconference.org/
As stated by the organizers:
Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA:
"I applaud the commitment and passion of the parliamentarian champions of sexual and reproductive health and rights I met in Oslo. I welcome their efforts to transform their discussions into concrete actions at home that will improve the lives of women and girls. As we mark the thirtieth anniversary of the landmark International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, the need to act boldly and decisively for rights and choices is more vital than ever.''
Hon. Åse Kristin Ask Bakke, President of the Norwegian All Party Parliamentary Group:
"As chair of the Norwegian APPG for sexual and reproductive health and rights, I am proud of the Oslo Statement of Commitment that parliamentarians from all over the world agreed at the end of IPCI 2024. They all displayed great commitment and enthusiasm to move forward in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights. In the 30 years since Cairo, we have seen progress but also setbacks, but I think the Oslo Statement of Commitment facilitates a future with hope and possibilities for us all, with a special focus on women, girls, and adolescents. I personally talked to many parliamentarians who were eager to go back home inspired and ready to turn the content of the statement into real-life political action. I hope that in the near future we will see positive changes take place in countries around the world that will lead to a better future for us all."
Hon. Petra Bayr, President of EPF:
"As president of the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF), I am proud of the strong commitment that we, as parliamentarians from across the globe, have collectively embraced. We made it clear that life or death is a political decision. Having so many parliamentarians who are real champions in advocating for the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights in their constituencies and beyond gives hope and confidence that everyone can live a life based on individual choice. With the adoption of the Oslo Statement of Commitment, we reaffirm ourselves as a strong and outspoken pro-choice movement, ready to overcome any opposition with the confidence of strong global networks and the conviction that with our policies and adequate resources, we can provide a good life for all people everywhere, based on universal human rights and dignity."
- You can access the Oslo Declaration at: https://ipciconference.org/
