The role of the private sector in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights

In the three decades since the landmark International Conference on Population and Development, remarkable progress has been made in achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Yet many women are still left behind.

According to a recent report from the World Economic Forum, women spend 25 percent more time in poor health than men. Furthermore, approximately 190 million women work in global supply chains, and their needs – ranging from healthcare to protection from harassment and violence – are often neglected.

As we celebrate this year’s Summit of the Future, advancing gender equality and empowering and protecting all women and girls remain essential conditions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNFPA has sought a range of partnerships, including in the private sector, as well as financial approaches and other creative ways to achieve this mandate. Through the power of strategic partnerships, UNFPA has joined forces with organizations to mobilize resources and harness knowledge, technology and innovation to achieve the transformative goals that benefit millions of women and girls worldwide.

UNFPA, together with Essity, Organon and Reckitt, is organizing an event on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future, with the theme “Partnerships of the Future: The Role of the Private Sector in Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights”.

The side event will serve to achieve the following objectives:

• Celebrate achievements, reflect on progress and promote the principles of the International Conference on Population and Development.
• Highlight successful models of private sector partnerships and discuss concrete ways in which the private sector is integrating the global agenda for women and girls into their activities and core actions and translating commitments into action.
• Develop platforms for private sector engagement, including the Equity 2030 Alliance and the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business, and explore ways to harness the brainpower, influence and financial muscle of the private sector.
• Create a space where members of the private sector can come together and support the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development, advance the actions of the Pact for the Future, and improve the health and rights of women and girls.

Follow the progress we are making with our partners

Partnerships with the private sector

Discover how our partnerships with companies, foundations, academia and civil society organizations contribute to our transformative results.

Promoting reproductive justice in the workplace

Access our environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics and indicators, learn more about the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business, and access tools to help you prioritize sexual and reproductive health and rights and measure return on investment.

Closing the gender gap in science and technology design

Join the Equity 2030 Alliance to accelerate action to normalize gender equality and avoid gender-blind solutions.