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Representative of the Secretary‑General warns digital divide threatens sexual and reproductive health
Summary
At the opening of the Commission on Population and Development's 59th session, the Secretary‑General's representative said digital technologies offer large benefits but widening access gaps and online harms threaten sexual and reproductive health, and urged rights‑based governance and renewed research investment.
A representative of the Secretary‑General opened the 59th session of the Commission on Population and Development and warned that rapid digital change, if unmanaged, is undermining sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially for women and girls.
The speaker said digital tools have “enormous potential to accelerate progress on the ICPD Program of Action,” improving data analysis, health treatment and access to education. At the same time, he said, “the risks posed by digital technologies are significant,” and cited steep gaps in internet access: 93% of people in high‑income countries use the internet versus 39% in the least developed countries, and in low‑income countries just 21% of women are online.
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