Vice President launches UNFPA State of World Population 2009 Report

Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed has today launched UNFPA State of World Population 2009 Report.

The report is published in two parts: with the first one titled, "State of the World Population Report 2009, Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate" while the other part is entitled "At the Frontier-Young People and Climate Change".

Speaking at the launching function, the Vice President said while we pursue solutions to both mitigation and adaptation, “we must also address human rights and social issues”.

Stressing the importance of people’s participation of decision making, the Vice President said that “democracy is not just about elections. It is more about meaningful participation of people”.

In his speech, the Vice President also stressed that women are central to the survival of families and nations.

“As we develop national strategies to combat climate change, risk reduction and disaster management, we must place special attention to the capacities and position of women” said the Vice President.

He also said that no society can achieve sustainable development and prosperity “with half of its population ill-prepared for the challenges of an unpredictable future”.

In concluding his speech, the Vice President said “a true democracy is one in which all its citizens, women, men and young people can participate in critical decisions that affect them”.

The report which was launched today, noted that the impact of climate change affected women more, particularly those in the poor countries differently than men and the overall impact exacerbate the gap between the rich and poor, amplifying the inequalities between the two sexes.

It called for people-centred solutions alongside technology in the debates and solutions to climate change, stressing that, women should be an integral part of any agreement that emerges from climate conference to be held in Copenhagen.