Coronavirus lockdowns could lead to 7 million unintended pregnancies, UN agency says
- Supply chain disruptions could leave 47 million women without modern contraceptives, according to United Nations Population Fund
- Six months of lockdowns could also result in 31 million additional cases of gender-based violence as women are trapped at home for prolonged periods
Lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic could result in 7 million unintended pregnancies, according to data released on Tuesday by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Supply chain disruptions could leave 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries without modern contraceptives, the UN's sexual and reproductive health agency said.
The analysis also projects that six months of lockdowns could result in an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence as women are trapped at home for prolonged periods.
Delays in programmes to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage due to the pandemic are estimated to result in 2 million more cases of FGM and 13 million more child marriages over the next decade that could otherwise have been prevented, according to UNFPA.
While the figures are rough estimates, they show “the catastrophic impact that Covid-19 could soon have on women and girls globally”, UNFPA executive director Dr Natalia Kanem said in a news release.