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A Fighter for the Forgotten - Natalia Kanem's UN Legacy

A Fighter for the Forgotten - Natalia Kanem's UN Legacy

As Natalia Kanem looks back on her eight years leading the UN's reproductive health organization, she doesn't start with worldwide figures, corporate achievements, or even recollections of her trips to refugee settlements.

She keeps coming back, again and again, to one specific picture: a ten-year-old girl—on the threshold of adolescence, her future unclear, and her rights still facing serious uncertainty.

Will she manage to remain in school, graduate, and navigate life successfully?" Dr. Kanem ponders. "Or will she face obstacles such as early marriage, female genital mutilation, or extreme poverty?

That critical issue and that young girl—not a specific child, but a symbol of the millions around the globe whose future is in danger—have emerged as the central focus of Dr. Kanem's nearly eight-year leadership.Executive Directorof the UN's agency focused on sexual and reproductive health, officially named theUN Population Fund (UNFPA).

Starting from her initial work on the frontlines in East Africa, to leading a $1.7 billion organization operating in over 150 countries, Dr. Kanem has guided UNFPA through worldwide changes, political challenges, and ideological resistance.

Above all, she has ignited a powerful transformation in the lives of countless women and girls.

This month, she is resigning from her position earlier than planned. "It's time to hand over the responsibility," the 70-year-old said to her staff—a team of 5,000 employees—in a recorded message earlier this year. "I have committed to doing everything within my power to ensure UNFPA remains capable of achieving remarkable accomplishments."

Roots and ascent

A native of Panama, Dr. Kanem pursued a career as a medical doctor before joining UNFPA in 2014 following a background in philanthropy. Choosing to contribute to "the noble mission of the United Nations," she initially traveled to East Africa and Tanzania, where she was deeply moved by the quiet dedication of local workers. "It's truly at the national level that we demonstrate our value," she mentioned to UN News.

However, the role was not simple. In 2017, when she assumed leadership of the agency, Dr. Kanem took over an organization facing declining visibility, uncertain financial support, and ongoing resistance from conservative perspectives. Despite these challenges, UNFPA expanded—not only in terms of funding but also in influence.

When I arrived, the story was, 'We're a small organization, struggling, and no one comprehends what we do,"' she mentioned. "Now, I believe it's more evident.

That lucidity emerged, in part, from what Dr. Kanem refers to as "thought leadership."

Whether addressing false beliefs about fertility or tackling technology-fueled gender-based violence, she brought UNFPA to the forefront of global conversations. "We operate in a marketplace of ideas," she said. "And we must present the truth in a manner that is persuasive enough to attract the support this movement needs."

With her guidance, the organization educated hundreds of thousands of midwives, provided billions of contraceptive supplies, and broadened aid efforts to support women and girls in the most vulnerable areas — including the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, war-affected Ukraine, and Haiti, which faced a cholera outbreak.

The involvement of UNFPA in areas affected by crises was both practical and meaningful. In regions like Sudan, Syria, and Gaza, a basic tent containing menstrual products, a blanket, and a bar of soap could offer a safe space. "It symbolizes the break that a woman requires during a crisis," she explained. "We refer to our kits as 'dignity kits' for this very reason."

Shifting the conversation

In addition to providing services, Dr. Kanem enhanced UNFPA's position as a leading voice in a divided world. She guided the organization into challenging public discussions—on teenage pregnancy, climate stress, birth rates, and cyberbullying—with a firm commitment to rights.

The 10-year-old girl is present," she said. "What her parents, religious leaders, and community believe is crucial for her to be adequately prepared, for her to understand how to respond when faced with coercive practices.

This leadership reached into data. Under Dr. Kanem, UNFPA made significant investments in supporting national efforts.censuses and building dashboardsto assist legislators in developing reproductive health policy through immediate data.

This year's State of World Populationthe report, the agency's yearly analysis of demographic patterns, challenged typical stories about "population decline" - highlighting that many women and men postpone having children not due to beliefs, but because they cannot afford to support them.

Dr. Kanem commended the selflessness of young individuals who claim they are deciding against having children due to concerns about exacerbating the climate crisis. However, this is not supported by the data.

The global replacement fertility rate is not threatening the environment," she stated. "The data clearly shows: you can have as many children as your financial situation allows.

A principle-driven guide during challenging periods

Dr. Kanem's time in office overlapped with increasing challenges to reproductive rights, rising nationalistic sentiments, and a growing distrust of global institutions. She encountered prolonged reductions in U.S. financial support—under the present administration as well—even as the need for UNFPA's assistance increased.

UNFPA has more funds than we've ever had," she remarked. "But it's never going to be sufficient to halt the rising demand.

Merely having resources will not guarantee the agency's future - credibility and perseverance are equally important. "The multilateral system has been called into question at a moment when it is more essential than ever," she cautioned. "We must constantly demonstrate our value. And when we make errors, we need to rise again, correct them, and seek out allies who will stand with us."

One such collaboration has involved the private sector. In 2023, UNFPA partnered with technology companies tolaunchA results-based financing initiative in Kenya, providing mobile-focused sexual health services to reduce teenage pregnancy and new HIV infections among young females.

Changing mindsets

The UNFPA has been actively working to put an end to harmful traditions like female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages. With Dr. Kanem's leadership, this effort has focused not only on altering legal frameworks but also on transforming societal attitudes.

Yes, definitely," she replied when questioned about the authenticity of progress. "It has been crucial to witness religious and traditional leaders opposing specific practices... and to collaborate with educational institutions so that the girls can recognize the dangers and make more informed choices regarding their future.

The _HREF=https://www.un.org/coronavirus">COVID-19 outbreak, she acknowledged, posed a challenge. As schools were shut down, certain communities saw a rise in the number of weddings and FGM rituals. However, in numerous nations—such as Indonesia, which has a large population—UNFPA has observed a decrease in the practice, partly due to young advocates raising their voices within their own communities.

New generation, next chapter

Looking forward, Dr. Kanem did not focus on uncertainty. Instead, she emphasized potential. "We have redefined ourselves, updated ourselves," she stated. "There is truly limitless potential for UNFPA."

Her future holds what she refers to as a "short break" - additional time dedicated to music, her family, and, ultimately, her own well-being. However, she won't remain quiet for long. "I am aware that my dedication to matters concerning women and girls will not fade," she stated. "It has been a labor of love."

Her last reflection? A final return to the girl at the heart of everything.

When that 10-year-old girl achieves success, everyone shares in it," she remarked. "It creates a better world.

Copyright 2025 United Nations News Service. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (Daily News).

Tagged: International Organizations and Africa, Refugees and Displacement, Africa, Women and Gender, External Relations, Conflict, Peace and Security

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