(VOV) - The UNFPA has launched its State of the World Population 2012 report, a key publication on family planning, development and human rights.

Ensuring universal access to reproductive health services is key to protecting the health of young people, women, mothers and their babies. (Photo: www.un.org.vn)

The report says Vietnam has made substantial progress, integrating family planning into the general health service, while strengthening safe motherhood and newborn health services. However, the report says certain population groups, such as adolescents, young and unmarried people, migrants and ethnic minority people, have limited access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. A significant number of pregnancies are unexpected, especially among the young and unmarried. At a ceremony in Hanoi on Thursday, Ms. Mandeep K. O'Brien, UNFPA Representative Acting Interim in Vietnam highlighted the Vietnamese government’s policies and strategy on reproductive health. She recommended Vietnam to implement this strategy well, especially at the grass-roots level. Ms Mandeep underlined the UN financial support to meet family planning requirements among the most vulnerable group. She also called for improvements in the healthcare system, medical information and quality management so that everyone equally access family planning services.

According to the UNFPA’s report, family planning has brought in great benefits not only for women but also families and society. But 222 million women in developing countries haven’t been provided with family planning services. The World Population 2012 Report called on governments, social organizations, and communities to take responsibility in protecting the rights to access family planning for all women.