How UN is revolutionising the global work space with new reproductive health initiative
The United Nations has launched the world's first initiative focused on employee reproductive health, aiming to transform workplaces globally.
The new document, titled "Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Private Sector - the case for action and accountability in the workplace," introduces a set of new Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) standards.
These standards function as a standard tool for evaluating how effectively organisations are protecting the sexual and reproductive health of their employees.
The groundbreaking programme, led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) also seeks to address the often-overlooked aspect of women's health within the professional environment.
With the launch of this initiative, the UN is setting a new standard for workplace health and gender equality which hopes that by 2030, the global maternal mortality ratio will be reduced to less than 70 per 100,000 live births, and universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services will be ensured.
According to UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem investing in the health and human rights of women in the workplace is efficient for improved work globally.
“Women represent nearly 40% of the global workforce. Yet, the average workplace was not built with a woman in mind. Investing in the health and well-being of women is not just the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. When the workplace works for women, it tends to work for everyone," she said.
The initiative further resonates with the powerful quote of Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan who once said, "It is my aspiration that health finally will be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for."
Additionally, in January 2023, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the UNFPA initiated the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business. This alliance aims to motivate and assist companies in improving the sexual and reproductive well-being of their workforce.
"The coalition is designed to encourage and support the private sector to enhance the sexual and reproductive health of their employees and provides a platform for sharing strategies to address staff’s diverse reproductive health needs. It also fosters accountability by leveraging the new scorecard within the framework of ESG. This holistic approach seeks to create workplaces where reproductive justice is a central focus, promoting a culture of inclusivity and equal opportunity for all employees," UNFPA explained.
Research shows that nearly half of married women worldwide lack decision-making power over their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Furthermore, 35% of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.
