UNICEF supports birth control despite Holy See

Area of Science:

• Global Health Policy
• International Development
• Population Studies

Background:

• The Vatican objected to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) involvement in family planning, viewing it as outside the agency's mandate and conflating it with abortion.
• Despite Vatican opposition, the UNICEF Executive Board voted to cooperate with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and WHO to support family planning.
• A previous attempt by the Vatican to remove family planning from Agenda 21 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) was unsuccessful in the final document.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the UNICEF Executive Board's decision to support family planning initiatives.
• To outline the collaboration between UNICEF, UNFPA, and WHO in promoting family planning within healthcare systems.
• To address the Vatican's objections and the broader implications for international population and development strategies.

Main Methods:

• Resolution adoption by the 41-member UNICEF Executive Board.
• Policy paper commissioned from UNICEF Executive Director James Grant on family planning involvement.
• Consideration of input from member states and spokespersons regarding family planning policies.

Main Results:

• The UNICEF Executive Board unanimously adopted a resolution to support family planning, requesting substantive contributions to the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).
• The Board requested a policy paper on UNICEF's role in family planning, focusing on child and maternal health.
• The Vatican's objection was noted as a minority view, with the Board emphasizing the distinction between family planning and abortion/sterilization.

Conclusions:

• UNICEF will actively engage in family planning support, integrating it into healthcare systems.
• The decision underscores the importance of family planning for sustainable development and safe motherhood.
• UNICEF will continue to respect cultural diversity while promoting informed family planning choices.