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Catalysts for Change

       

All rights for all women

Josefita is an indigenous leader who shares knowledge with the youth in her community. She guides women in a territory affected by the climate crisis and armed conflict, empowering them to make decisions about their bodies and live free from violence.

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© UNFPA Colombia/Héctor Suricata

Rashell is a teenager who is strengthening her knowledge of sexual and reproductive rights. Along with her peers, she participates in actions to prevent adolescent pregnancy. She advocates for young people to be able to build the life projects they desire.

© UNFPA Panamá

"When I was in school, I always wanted to be a nurse." Bertha, 74, fulfilled that dream and is today one of the most influential Afro-descendant women in the Honduran Caribbean. She is recognized for her work in favor of the rights of Garifuna and Afro-descendant communities, especially women and girls.

© UNFPA Honduras

Roxana is an entrepreneur who has overcome difficulties in accessing family planning and quality maternal healthcare. "I always told my daughter, 'You have to study to strengthen your autonomy.'" Currently, Roxana manages two stores and her daughter Jesika has postgraduate studies.

© UNFPA Bolivia/Jorge Canido

Ready to change the rules of the game

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Meet Zulma

5 women that protect their rights

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"Suddenly you find yourself..."

More and better opportunities for adolescent girls

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Read Verónica's story
 


Women and girls in Latin America and the Caribbean face barriers to reaching their full potential

  • The region has the second-highest adolescent pregnancy rate globally, with 50.6 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19.
  • The maternal mortality ratio stands at 88 per 100,000 live births and it shows resistance to decline.
  • Two out of three women aged 15-49 have experienced violence at some point in their lives, with 12% of women (double the global average) and 18% of girls having suffered sexual violence.
  • Additionally, 7 out of 10 Afro-descendant women report having experienced violence in educational and work settings.

In this context, UNFPA promotes:

  • Empowerment of diverse women, girls, and adolescents.
  • Transformation of social gender norms.
  • Support for civil society organizations, women's movements, diverse feminists, and youth.
  • Prevention of and response to gender-based violence.
  • Strengthening demographic resilience.
  • Access to sexual and reproductive health information and services.
  • Peace and security.

This March 8th, 30 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UNFPA continues to advocate for gender equality and the strengthening of regulations and public policies that center women and girls in our actions

Learn State of gender equality in Latin America and the Caribbean
Discover Situation of maternal mortality in the region
Act How to end child, early, and forced marriages and unions
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