UN: Coronavirus Pandemic Could Lead To 7 Million Unintended Pregnancies

TOPLINE

Millions of women will lose access to contraception, face unexpected pregnancies and suffer gender-based violence as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a grim report from the UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.

KEY FACTS

CRUCIAL QUOTE

“This new data shows the catastrophic impact that COVID-19 could soon have on women and girls globally. The pandemic is deepening inequalities, and millions more women and girls now risk losing the ability to plan their families and protect their bodies and their health,” said UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem.

TANGENT

While women and men contract coronavirus at  roughly the same rate, research indicates that men are up to 2.5 times more likely to develop severe or life-threatening symptoms.

FURTHER READING

New UNFPA projections predict calamitous impact on women’s health as COVID-19 pandemic continues (United Nations) 

Domestic Violence Hotline Reports Surge In Coronavirus-Related Calls As Shelter-In-Place Leads To Isolation, Abuse (Forbes)

States Are Using Coronavirus Shutdowns To Enact Abortion Bans, And Federal Courts Are Trying To Keep Up (Forbes)

Children, Women Just As Likely To Contract COVID-19, But Men Exhibit Worse Symptoms, Study Suggests (Forbes)

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