Norway supports the fight for women’s and young people’s rights with almost NOK 600 million

‘Sexual and reproductive health and rights are one of the most controversial areas within international development, with strong forces pushing back against progress made. UNFPA is at the forefront of the ‘push forward, against the pushback’. It is a key partner for Norway in our ambition for a more equal world, where women’s and young people’s rights are respected allowing them to be in the driving seat of their own lives’, said Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, The Norwegian Minister of International Development.

For 2024, Norway supports the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency with NOK 589.6 million in core funding- allowing the agency to respond to the many crises affecting women and young people, such as the catastrophic wars in Gaza and Sudan. It also supports the meticulous work required to uphold the rights of women where they are under pressure, and advocate for change where these rights are denied.

‘We are enormously grateful for Norway's longstanding partnership with UNFPA and confidence in our ability to improve the lives of women and girls around the world, including in crisis settings. Flexible core funding anchors UNFPA's work on sexual and reproductive health and rights and allows us to mount an agile response to unforeseen or rapidly evolving challenges’, said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. ‘Norway's generous support will help UNFPA save more lives and bring us closer to a world of rights and choices for everyone, everywhere’.

The announcement of Norway’s contribution is happening as courageous parliamentarians from across the world are gathered in Oslo to discuss sexual and reproductive health for women and young people. LGBTIQ+ rights, access to safe abortion, violence against women, indigenous rights and sexuality education. These are among the topics which will be discussed during the eighth International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the action plan from the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo 1994. Norway’s former Prime Minister, Gro Harlem, Brundtland was among the delegates, and held a speech just as relevant today as in 1994.

‘I salute the audacious politicians who have made immense sacrifices in the fight for health, dignity and rights for women and young people- often putting their own life at risk. I hope they find inspiration and support by meeting other courageous parliamentarians here in Oslo and that we together can boost global progress’, said Tvinnereim.