Mr. President,
Let me first underline that Sweden aligns itself with the statement made by the Netherlands on behalf of the European Union.
The conference in Cairo was a groundbreaking event, placing the individual at the core of population policies and development. Issues that used to be taboo are today on the international agenda, in particular sexual and reproductive health and rights, adolescent sexuality, gender based violence and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation.
Unfortunately, the international community is not providing the sufficient political support and funding to achieve the ICPD goals. What we therefore need is a reinforced commitment and increased resources. Implementation of the Cairo agenda is indispensable for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The Swedish Government recently decided that we will achieve our own goal to allocate 1 percent of our Gross National Income for Official Development Assistance by 2006, which will mean more resources for sexual and reproductive health and rights and hiv/aids.
Last week, the Government of Sweden together with UNFPA hosted a technical seminar that discussed the social and economic benefits of investing in sexual and reproductive health. This technical meeting will be followed up by a high-level meeting in Stockholm early next year, in which leaders from all over the world will issue a call for commitment for investments in sexual and reproductive health and rights.
My Government fully supports the work of UNFPA. While the organization has lost important financial support from other donors, like the United States of America, Sweden has continued to increase its core contribution to the fund. In 2005 we will continue to raise our support with 11 million additional US dollars. We do this because we recognize the fund's central role in implementing the Cairo agenda. Sweden also supports the invaluable work of IPPF and other civil society organizations. We would not have come this far, and we will not succeed in reaching our goals, without them.
In my speech today, I would like to, shortly and openly, highlight seven areas of concern that must be given greater attention the next ten years.
Firstly, all people should be able to have a satisfying and safe sex life. Discussions about sexuality and sexual relations are sensitive and it means that we place the most private in the public eye. We, especially the states, must take our responsibility to speak openly about these issues.
Secondly, young people need to have means to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. They need sex education as well as condoms and other contraceptives. Too many actors today promote abstinence only. The reality shows us that the promotion of abstinence does not work. For many girls and women, this message is insufficient, in view of the too often prevailing perception of women's subordination to men. Where rape and other forms of sexual violence are widespread, abstention is not an alternative, at least not for women. Abstinence-only-programs exclude necessary information needed when the person in question at some point chooses to have sex. These programs may therefore lead to unwanted pregnancies and transmission of sexual transmitted infections. Furthermore, it is pivotal that we use the knowledge and experience of young people in our work.
Thirdly, HIV/AIDS represents a huge threat to development. We know that 80% of all new infections of HIV/AIDS are spread through unsafe sex, that is, sex without a condom. It is thus life-threatening and certainly contrary to pro-life that for instance actors within the Vatican are spreading false rumors that condoms are dangerous. Further, if condoms are going to be used they also need to be widely available.
To be successful, we have to integrate the HIV/AIDS and the sexual and reproductive health and rights agendas. Many of the poorest women do not have access to sexual and reproductive health services; due to lack of services and inaccessibility caused by social, cultural, gender-based, geographic and economic barriers. The problem is particularly acute for adolescent girls who are more susceptible to HIV and STDs and carry greater risks in pregnancy. Many women and girls are infected, due to sexual harassment and violence, coerced sex and outright rape. But studies also show that married women are more likely to be infected than unmarried. In general, more attention must be paid to the role of boys and men and their sexuality.
Focusing on the fight against HIV/AIDS we often forget the individuals behind. An HIV-positive woman has the right to decide if she wants to have sex and if she wants to give birth or not - if it is safe for her partners. To make responsible choices, she needs access to information, education, health care and services, safe and legal abortions as well as antiretroviral drugs. People living with HIV/AIDS far too often suffer from discrimination. Several countries prohibit people infected with HIV/AIDS from entering the country. Why? I can't really understand that since we all know that HIV/AIDS is not transmitted through the air!
Fourthly, gender equality, which includes men's responsibility, is crucial in our common struggle. Women are still being discriminated against just because they are women. Thus, women do not have the same access as men to the health care and educational systems nor to the labor market. Women's empowerment is a key factor for securing women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. We must acknowledge that states have a particular responsibility in this regard with forceful instruments such as legislation, law enforcement, education and budget allocations. Further, men must take their responsibility in the fight against hideous crimes, such as trafficking, prostitution and crimes committed in the name of honor and other harmful traditional practices. As long as there is an imbalance of power between women and men we do not have fully democratic societies.
Fifthly, we must improve maternal health. The goal of decreasing maternal mortality and morbidity is far away. We must invest more in contraceptive services, increase the number of skilled birth attendants and emergency obstetric care. Further, every day more than 400 women die as a result of illegal, unsafe abortions, which constitutes 13 percent of all maternal deaths around the world. The Swedish Government will continue to argue that every woman should have the right to choose a legal and safe abortion. Every woman must have the power to decide over her own body. The Swedish Government is also currently studying under what conditions foreign women may be entitled to an abortion in Sweden.
Sixthly, once again; all people should be able to have a satisfying and safe sex life. All people include women, lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons. Therefore I'm very sad that women's sexual actions as well as for example lesbians' and gay men's sexual action are often punished in different ways. This is also often sanctioned or condoned by the state. Over 90 countries have laws that prohibit sexual relations between two persons of the same sex and in some of these countries the death penalty is imposed. In order to stop discrimination and violence against lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender persons Sweden has taken a number of measures, including new legislation.
Seventhly, persons with disabilities should of course enjoy the same sexual and reproductive health and rights as everyone else. The Vienna Declaration for Human Rights reaffirms that "all human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal and thus unreservedly include persons with disabilities". The ICPD encourages governments to recognize the needs of persons with disabilities concerning reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. The Swedish Government works actively not just to meet the needs of persons with disabilities but also to promote and protect their rights.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights must remain high on the international agenda. These issues have to be addressed in the 10-year review of the Beijing Platform for Action and the mid-term review of the Millennium declaration. Population and reproductive health must therefore also be addressed in the Secretary General's report on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals.
Finally, it is first and foremost the states that have the responsibility to implement the ICPD. However, civil society organizations have important roles to play both in implementation on the ground and advocacy. We can all learn from each other and our task will be easier if we co-operate. My Government was a strong actor ten years ago and I can assure you that Sweden will continue to give our full support to the ICPD.
Thank you.