September 2023 Update
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SEPTEMBER 2023
Dear John,
This month, we report on an unsavoury get together in Hungary, review a
familiarly disappointing summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
in New York, and we look back at an altogether more successful conference
in Delhi.
World Sexual Health Day, with the theme of consent, fell on the 4
September, and we looked into the under-reported issue of forced marriage.
For World Sexual Health week (11-17 September), we delved into the state of
UK sexual health in 2023 with GP and PM board member Rebbeca Foljambe.
Finally, we are now entering the last few days of crowdfunding for our new
South Sudanese partner, the National Women Empowerment and Rehabilitation
Organization. We have reached 64% of the total, so if you're able to help
us towards the 100% mark please look at the _Take Action_ section below.
Thanks for your support!
- The PM team
POPULATION MATTERS NEWS
Pronatalists, education and failing SDGs
Head of Campaigns, Alistair Currie, reports on three contrasting meetings
that took place this month. The Budapest Demographic Summit gathered
together those pressing for higher birth rates, a team from PM took part in
a conference on Sustainability Education in Delhi and, in New York, leaders
gathered to discuss the SDGs.
Read more [3]
No choice but to marry their kidnappers
Have you ever heard of marriage by capture? Also known as bride kidnapping,
this disgusting practice is, quite unbelievably, still continues in various
parts of the world in 2023. It affects the lives and dignity of many
millions of young girls and women and must be dealt with once and for
all.
Read more [4]
POPULATION & ENVIRONMENT
The ongoing crisis that is rocking South Sudan
Imagine a scenario where a crisis unfolds in one place, yet its effects
ripple through nearby regions. The ongoing Sudan crisis, which erupted in
April 2023 and shows no signs of relenting, exemplifies this phenomenon.
Our Empower to Plan Programme Coordinator, Shweta Shirodkar explores the
far-reaching consequences of the Sudanese crisis on South Sudan.
Read more [5]
Population growth and climate change in Africa
The Journal of Population and Sustainability is where to read the latest
trends, academic research and in-depth analysis for those who want to
understand the issues around population more comprehensively. This special
issue focuses on population growth as a factor in the resilience and
adaptive capacity of communities in Africa facing the effects of climate
change.
Read more [6]
Recommendation: a population podcast that gets to the heart of the issue
A plug for our friends at Population Balance and their excellent podcast,
The Overpopulation Podcast. We like it so much, in fact, we gave them an
award as part of our Change Champions 2023! [7]
The most recent episode features philosopher Dr. Trevor Hedberg, looking at
how overpopulation impact the environment. Do check out their back
catalogue as well, which include interviews with some PM friends including
Partha Dasgupta, Phoebe Barnard and Paul R. Ehrlich.
Read more [8]
WOMEN'S RIGHTS & SEXUAL HEALTH
Hungary's baby-making summit dominated by paranoia
_"Which roles best correspond to the natures of men and women? One of them
works and one of them takes care of the children.”_
This was a (male) speaker at the retrograde Budapest Demographic Summit in
September, which attracted the likes of Hungary PM Victor Orbán, Italy PM
Giorgia Meloni and Canadian polemicist Jordan Peterson.
Read more [9]
The state of UK sexual health in 2023
Rebecca Foljambe is an NHS GP, founder of the charity You Before Two and PM
board member.
In July, she gave a powerful presentation at our World Population Day
webinar on education. Here is an edited transcript of what she said, which
includes some eye-opening and shocking insights into the situation in the
UK.
Read more [10]
New UN report reiterates that women and girls are being failed
_"Despite global efforts, the world is falling short of achieving gender
equality. This year’s edition of the UN Women and UN DESA “Progress on
the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2023” paints a
worrisome picture halfway through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development."_
So much more needs to be done if we are to get anywhere near achieving the
SDGs by 2030. Namely serious financial investment, including $360m dollars
per year towards gender equality and women's empowerment.
Read more [11]
TAKE ACTION
SUPPORT OUR GRASSROOTS PARTNER IN SOUTH SUDAN TODAY
South Sudan is a land of unparalleled biodiversity, boasts the world’s
second-largest wildlife migration, akin to the famous Serengeti, and is
home to Africa’s largest wetland. However, beneath its natural splendour,
the country contends with political instability and internal conflicts that
have contributed to persistent poverty, restricted access to education and
healthcare, and underdevelopment.
NWERO, our new Empower to Plan partner based in the capital of South Sudan,
Juba, is working with women, adolescents, and the wider community to
implement vital socio-economic community development initiatives focussed
on gender justice, gender-based violence prevention and response, and
sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Please give what you can, and help us reach our funding target of £5,400
before the deadline next Wednesday!
Donate today [12]
Quote of the month
_“We hope to build capacities of women and adolescent girls to shape
decisions and advocate for positive changes related to child marriage,
unwanted pregnancies, and exposure to STIs. These efforts collectively
contribute to improved maternal health, reduced violence, and brighter
prospects.” _
- Editha Meling Leju, Executive Director, NWERO
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© 2023 Population Matters
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