Port-au-Prince, July 11, 2023 --- Prime Minister Ariel Henry stresses the need for political stability in Haiti on the commemoration of World Population Day on July 11, in connection with the launch of the State of the World Population Report 2023.

Some 200 people, including several Ministers and Secretaries of State, members of the Diplomatic Corps and members of civil society organizations, took part in this double event.

The Minister of Public Health and Population, Alex Larsen, thanks UNFPA for supporting the Haitian government's efforts in population and development, and sexual and reproductive health.

The Secretary of State for Population and Human Development, Laurent Beaugé, has set up a working group to raise awareness across all sectors of the importance of carrying out the General Population Census. The last population census was carried out in 2003.

The working group will also help to revise/update the July 2000 National Population Policy, adds Beaugé.

World Population Day is an opportunity to highlight the need to advance gender equality to realize the dreams of all women in Haiti and around the world, says UN Resident Coordinator in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson.

The United Nations has always been at the service of women and girls around the world," says Richardson.

World Population Day is a starting point for reinvigorating efforts to give women and girls the same rights and choices in a world of 8 billion, according to UNFPA Deputy Representative in Haiti, Zalha Assoumana.

In addition to the official part of the event, participants were treated to a PowerPoint presentation by Statistician-Demographer Jacques Hendry Rousseau and a video presentation on the State of the World Population 2023 Report, as well as a documentary on the prevention of teenage pregnancy in Haiti.

The title of the Report: "Eight billion people. An infinite horizon of possibilities. Defending rights and freedom of choice".

The story of the documentary revolves around a teenager from Thiotte, Haiti, who became pregnant after being raped. She underwent a Caesarean section. She tells her story.