Millions of women will lose access to contraception, face unexpected pregnancies and suffer gender-based violence as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a grim report from the UNFPA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency.
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Ongoing lockdowns and major disruptions to health services during the COVID-19 pandemic could leave 47 million women in low and middle-income countries unable to use modern contraceptives, leading to seven million unintended pregnancies in the coming months, according to data released by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners.
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The UN Population Fund is the sexual and reproductive health agency of the United Nations.
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“This new data shows the catastrophic impact that COVID-19 could soon have on women and girls globally,” UNFPA executive director Natalia Kanem said.
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“The pandemic is deepening inequalities, and millions more women and girls now risk losing the ability to plan their families and protect their bodies and their health.”
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As health systems are overloading and facilities are limiting services, many women and girls are skipping important medical check-ups as they fear contracting COVID-19, said the report of the research.
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