United Nations Population Fund facts for kids
Quick facts for kids  United Nations Population Fund |
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| Status | Active |
| Headquarters | New York City, United States |
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a special agency of the United Nations. It works to make sure everyone, especially women and young people, has good health. UNFPA helps improve the health of mothers and babies around the world.
This agency also helps countries create better healthcare plans. It works to stop violence against women and girls. UNFPA supports programs in over 144 countries. These countries are in places like the Middle East, Europe, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. Most of UNFPA's staff work directly in these countries. It is also a key member of the United Nations Development Group. This group of UN agencies works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
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How UNFPA Started
In December 1966, 12 world leaders asked the United Nations to focus on population issues. So, in 1967, the UN Secretary-General created a special fund. UNFPA began its work in 1969. It was first called the United Nations Fund for Population Activities.
At first, it was managed by the United Nations Development Fund. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly took charge of it. The name was officially changed to the United Nations Population Fund in 1987. However, people still use the shorter name, UNFPA.
UNFPA and Global Goals for a Better World
In September 2015, 193 countries in the United Nations agreed on something important. They adopted the Sustainable Development Goals. These are 17 big goals to make the world better over 15 years.
These goals aim to end poverty and discrimination. They also want to stop abuse and preventable deaths. The goals address environmental destruction too. They hope to bring a time of progress for everyone, everywhere.
These goals are big, but they can be achieved. UNFPA works with governments and other UN groups. They help directly with many of these goals. For example, they focus on Goal 3 (health), Goal 4 (education), and Goal 5 (gender equality). UNFPA helps in many ways to reach all the other goals too.
Who Leads UNFPA?
Here are the leaders who have guided UNFPA over the years:
| Executive Director | Country | Period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rafael M. Salas |  Philippines |
1969–1987 |
| 2 | Nafis Sadik |  Pakistan |
1987–2000 |
| 3 | Thoraya Ahmed Obaid |  Saudi Arabia |
2001–2010 |
| 4 | Babatunde Osotimehin |  Nigeria |
2011–2017 |
| 5 | Natalia Kanem |  Panama |
2017–present |
What Does UNFPA Do?
UNFPA is the biggest source of money for programs that help people worldwide. It works with governments and other groups in over 150 countries. They support programs that help women, men, and young people.
The Fund helps people understand important issues. It supports efforts to reach its goals. UNFPA also encourages countries to pay attention to population concerns. It helps nations create plans for sustainable development. UNFPA also has special UNFPA Goodwill Ambassadors and a Patron who help spread its message.
How UNFPA Works with Others
UNFPA works with many partners. These include governments, other United Nations agencies, and local communities. They also work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foundations, and private companies.
They all work together to raise awareness. They also gather support and money. This helps UNFPA achieve its goal of promoting the rights and health of women and young people. For example, UNFPA is one of the groups that supports the Special Programme on Human Reproduction.
In 2016, governments and private groups gave UNFPA $848 million. Some of this money was for general use. Other money was for specific programs. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the United Kingdom reduced its aid to UNFPA.
UNFPA and the United States
From 2002 to 2008, the US government under President George W. Bush did not give money to UNFPA. This was even though the US Congress had approved the funding. The US government said UNFPA supported certain programs in China.
Many developing countries, known as the "Group of 77", supported UNFPA. Several European countries also stated that UNFPA's work followed international agreements. They said UNFPA helps promote human rights.
Because the US stopped its funding, the European Union decided to help fill the gap. In 2008, UNFPA received most of its money from European governments. Japan was also an important donor. More than 180 countries gave money to UNFPA that year.
In the United States, groups like Friends of UNFPA raised private donations. They tried to make up for the lost government money.
In January 2009, President Barack Obama restored US funding to UNFPA. He said the US would join 180 other countries. They work together to reduce poverty and improve the health of women and children. In April 2017, the U.S. government again announced it would stop funding UNFPA.
Other UN Groups Working on Population
Here are some other groups in the United Nations that deal with population topics:
- Commission on Population and Development
- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
See also
In Spanish: Fondo de Población de las Naciones Unidas para niños
- Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition
