ICPD stands for International Conference on Population and Development. It refers to a crucial meeting held in Cairo, Egypt, in 1994, which brought together representatives from 179 countries and various non-governmental organizations. The conference aimed to address and tackle global population issues and devise strategies for sustainable development.
The ICPD firmly emphasized the connection between population, poverty, and development, asserting that sustainable socioeconomic progress could only be achieved when individuals' reproductive rights and choices were respected. The conference emphasized the significance of empowering women and promoting gender equality as crucial factors in population and development dynamics.
The ICPD Program of Action, adopted at the conference, recognized that population policies should focus on ensuring universal access to reproductive health care and comprehensive sexual education, while also promoting gender equality, empowerment of women, and the eradication of gender-based violence. The program emphasized the need for equity, social justice, and environmental sustainability, and highlighted the importance of involving communities, civil society, and individuals in decision-making processes regarding population and development.
The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) marked a significant shift in addressing population issues from a predominantly demographic perspective to a broader framework that acknowledged the critical role of reproductive rights, gender equality, and empowerment. It paved the way for subsequent discussions and initiatives surrounding population and development, influencing policies, programs, and actions by various countries and organizations to this day.
