Concern is growing that access to abortion may be included in the 15-year UN development programme that will replace the Millennium Development Goals from the end of next year.<\/p>\n
Cafod has said it will be unable to giving 100 per cent backing to the new goals, currently in draft form, which already contain a commitment to grant universal access to sexual and reproductive health.<\/p>\n
The 17 proposed Sustainable Development Goals will replace the eight existing goals, with the primary aim to end poverty by 2030, and contain for the first time a direct reference to women. The fifth goal currently reads: “Attain gender equality, empower women and girls everywhere.”<\/p>\n
The accompanying text, still in draft form, includes bringing an end to female genital mutilation, as well as a commitment to “ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.” Pro-choice groups such as Marie Stopes International \u201d\u201c who received \u00c2\u00a341.5 million in Government funding this year \u201d\u201c are campaigning for a dedicated target on sexual and reproductive health and rights under the current health goal.<\/p>\n