By MONICA KAYOMBO,Zambia, Lusaka
In a massive conference hall in New York, delegates gathered for the 59th Session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD59), a space meant to shape the future of global development. Outside the formal speeches and negotiations, another story was unfolding, one carried by voices from the Global South.
Komfwa (pseudo name), a young advocate from Zambia, sat quietly in the gallery, listening. She had travelled far to represent her community, the girls who walked miles for healthcare, women who lacked access to family planning, and youth who struggled to find accurate information about their bodies.
The discussions inside the room revolved around technology, research, and population trends. Leaders spoke of innovation and progress. Yet Komfwa knew that for many back home, these words felt distant. Without access to digital tools, reliable healthcare, or education, progress remained an abstract promise.
The Global South Coalition on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Development Justice had come with a clear message that development must be fair, inclusive, and rooted in human rights. They warned that without equity, technology could deepen inequality instead of solving it.
As negotiations continued, tensions grew. In the end, no consensus was reached. No unified outcome document emerged. For many, it felt like a missed opportunity as the countdown to 2030 keeps drawing near. But for Komfwa, the silence in the final resolution spoke loudly.
That evening, she stood outside the UN building with other advocates. They shared stories of young mothers, of unsafe childbirth, of girls forced out of school, and of communities left behind by the digital revolution. These were not statistics but lives. Komfwa realized something powerful that change would not come only from signed agreements, but from persistent voices demanding justice.
The issues raised in the statement and reflected in Komfwa’s story directly impact several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as SDG number three (3) on Good Health and well-being. Access to sexual and reproductive health services is essential for reducing maternal mortality and improving overall health. Without SRHR services, women and girls face life-threatening risks. Zambia, for example, has made progress in family planning and skilled birth attendance, showing what is possible when investments are made.
Another SDG aligned is SDG number 5 (five) on Gender Equality. The story highlights how lack of bodily autonomy and access to services limits women’s empowerment. SRHR is central to gender equality, enabling women and girls to make decisions about their lives and futures.
SDG number four (4) on Quality Education is also affected in a way. Without access to comprehensive sexuality education and digital tools, young people remain uninformed and vulnerable. Technology, if equitably distributed, can expand access to knowledge and opportunity.
SDG number 10 talks about Reduced Inequalities. The Global South coalition emphasizes that unequal access to technology, financing, and healthcare reinforces global disparities. Bridging these gaps is key to inclusive development.
The SDG number 9 (nine) on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure is also important in this aspect. Technology has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, but only if infrastructure and access are equitable. Otherwise, it risks widening the digital divide.
Peace, justice and strong institutions under SDG number 16 cannot be ignored. The failure to reach consensus at CPD59 highlights challenges in global governance and multilateral cooperation. Strong institutions are needed to uphold human rights and accountability.
Komfwa’s story reflects a broader truth that Sustainable Development is not just about policies, it is about people. When sexual and reproductive health and rights are prioritized, societies become healthier, more equal, and more resilient.
But when commitments stall, it is the most vulnerable who pay the price. The SDGs cannot be achieved without justice and justice cannot exist without ensuring that every voice, especially from the Global South, is heard and acted upon.
