Over 100 governments acknowledge the importance of health and well-being of women, children and adolescents

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Take Center Stage at the 78th UN General Assembly

More than 100 governments raised the topic of the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents during the 78th UN General Assembly in New York, held between 5-26 September this year.

Tracking Progress on SDGs

A tracker developed by PMNCH recorded the source, context, and content of each intervention during three high-level meetings (HLMs), including the SDG Summit, the Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR) high-level meeting, and the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) High-Level Meeting. The results have been tabulated, analyzed, and published in a brief summary report.

Focus on Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health

Overall, maternal health issues were raised in four country statements during the SDG Summit and 39 times during the UHC HLM. Newborn health was not mentioned in the SDG Summit but was raised in 23 country statements during the UHC HLM. Child health issues were covered in 12 country statements during the SDG Summit and 34 in the UHC HLM. During the PPPR HLM, maternal, newborn, and child health issues were raised in 9 country statements. Adolescent well-being issues were mentioned in 33 country statements during the SDG Summit, 2 during the PPPR HLM, and 10 during the UHC HLM.

Addressing SRHR Issues

SRHR issues, including gender-based violence, were referenced five times during the SDG Summit, six times at the HLM on PPPR, and 22 times at the UHC HLM.

Health Takes Center Stage

Health took an unprecedented center stage thanks to the three HLMs on PPPR, UHC, and Fight against tuberculosis. Women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (WCAH) was also addressed in the General Debate and most of the HLMs. The main recurrent issues mentioned by Member States included gender equality and women empowerment, addressing the needs of youth and future generations, especially in terms of skills for employment and education. However, there were few references to the worrying regression and stagnation of global maternal mortality rates.

Importance of Mapping Concerns

“It is vital to understand how and where countries are raising concerns about the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents. By mapping and analyzing this information, we can assess current concerns and gaps felt by political leaders, as well as identify potential champion countries to partner in our advocacy efforts,” said Helga Fogstad, Executive Director of PMNCH.

Neglected Needs

The unique needs of women, children, and adolescents are often neglected. For example, in 2020, a woman was dying every two minutes due to complications in childbirth, and many of those deaths were unattended by a skilled birth attendant. Additionally, five million children aged five or under died, mostly from preventable causes. Furthermore, 214 million women in low- or middle-income countries want to but can’t access a modern method of contraception, and women and children continue to be disproportionately affected by climate change, pandemics, and conflict.

Call for Real Progress

“The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the war in Ukraine have only added to the pressure and anxiety of our young people,” highlighted Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, in the General Debate. For too long, the specific threats posed to WCAH globally have been ignored, resulting in stagnation in progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Only 15% of the SDG targets are considered to be on track to meet the 2030 deadline.

Global Commitments

This year, at the halfway point to the SDG deadline, many ministers, government representatives, and heads of state made mention of WCAH at UNGA. Overall, the regions that most often highlighted issues related to WCAH were countries from Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Several countries also made tangible commitments to address WCAH.

Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) cannot happen without promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Several references were made to the importance of UHC for the health of adolescents and future generations. Spain made a statement on behalf of 59 other governments on the importance of promoting and ensuring SRHR is placed at the core of UHC.

Conclusion

While world leaders’ mention of marginalized groups and the issues that specifically threaten their well-being is welcome, it must go beyond that if real progress is to be made. Commitment to UHC requires action around budgetary and policy decisions to ensure inclusive, equitable, and efficient primary health care. Efforts to address WCAH must be intensified to achieve the SDGs and improve the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents globally.

“The commitment also seeks to address road trafficked injuries and deaths as faced by this group, including physical, sexual, and psychological forms of GBV within schools, communities, and society at large,” said Hon. Kabo Morwaeng, Minister for Presidential Affairs, Botswana.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
• SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• SDG 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• SDG 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births)
• Preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
• Access to sexual and reproductive health-care services
• Completion of primary and secondary education
• Forms of discrimination against women and girls

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: pmnch.who.int

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