In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), in Cairo, initiated a major paradigm shift from a demographic focused perspective of population and development to a new vision that focused on human rights, particularly the rights of individuals, couples and families, at the centre of relationships between population, development and human well-being. The comprehensive 20 year Programme of Action (PoA) that was adopted by 179 countries, including Pacific Island Countries, placed the right to sexual and reproductive health as well as gender equality and women’s empowerment at the core of its recommended population development strategies.