Young leaders are critical for research, programme design, and advocacy
Women, people aged under 30, and marginalised populations, especially from low and middle income countries (LMICs), continue to face barriers to participation in global health governance systems. As a result, these voices often go unheard and are not included in decision making processes related to health. As the BMJ collection on gender equality and pandemic response shows (www.bmj.com/gender-and-pandemic-response ) ,1 traction is growing for recognising the importance of applying a gender lens within pandemic preparedness research and policy. However, adolescents (12-19 year olds) and youth (under 30s) remain missing within multistakeholder health emergency and disaster committees, from health system preparedness and responses at all levels (global, regional, national, and local), and within the research agenda.2
Covid-19 has essentially reversed gains in gender equality, widening socioeconomic, educational, a
Launch of a joint call to action by WHO-UNICEF-UNFPA and advocacy brief by PMNCH and partnersFrom 30 November through 12 December, world leaders, experts, and advocates are convening at COP 28 to drive action on climate change. Decisions made in Dubai must be based on evidence and a commitment to meeting the health, rights, and needs of those in vulnerable situations. This panel presents research on the impacts and important actions to protect and promote the health and rights of women, children, adolescents, and future generations: those who will bear the greatest burdens of the climate crisis, and who will be asked to come up with solutions.A growing body of epidemiological evidence links climate hazards to adverse maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes, ranging from gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia to preterm births, to the development of respiratory diseases and negative effects on learning and family function.Climate change additionally t
Every year, the world commemorates #WorldPrematurityDay on November 17th. This year, it is hard to celebrate: In the last decade, the world failed as preterm birth rates have not changed in any region. In the last year, 1 in 10 babies was born too soon. In the last week, the world watched premature babies die in their incubators as oxygen, electricity, and critical lifesaving care were disrupted in Gaza’s hospitals.Nevertheless, hope is not lost but urgent and collective action is needed. TheBorn Too Soon Report: Decade of Action on Preterm Birthhighlighted new data, opportunities, gaps, and actions needed to address this universal, yet silent epidemic.Led by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and PMNCH this report was developed with more than 70 organisations joining this global advocacy and was enriched by families courageously sharing their stories; the accompanying campaign and photo exhibition launched at IMNHC2023 engaged more than 3.4 billion around the world.Traveling photo exhibition of fam
By White Ribbon AllianceLaunching A Call to Action from Women & GirlsIn 2023, more than 2 million women and young people in upwards of thirty countries were asked about their top priorities for their health and well-being. Be among the first to hear their demands as we launch a new report and call to action as part of the Self-Care Learning and Discovery Series. Join us on Thursday, November 16th from 8:00 – 9:30 AM EST and hear directly from women, young people, and the community organizers responsible for this massive undertaking about how best they can be supported and their solutions for change. Live simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French, and Spanish.Esteemed speakers at this event include:Sujoy Roy, National Advocacy Officer, Child in Need InstituteClarisse Aquino, Project Officer, Coalition of Services of the ElderlyBen Abdoul Azize Sawadogo, Programs Manager, SOS Jeunesse et DéfisRafia Rauf, National Coordinator/Projects Director, Forum
In honour of this year’s theme for International Youth Day on 12 August, ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World’, I am thrilled to spotlight our PMNCH Adolescents & Youth constituency (AYC) for their remarkable leadership in climate change action. They play a crucial role in driving the 1.8 Billion Young People for Change campaign and Global Forum for Adolescents, which highlights the need for a green transition to ensure the well-being of current and future generations of adolescents. Today, adolescents and youth aged 10-24, representing 24% of the global population, face extreme climate vulnerability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite having contributed least to carbon emissions during their lifetimes, they and future generations will bear the greatest consequences, making climate change a profound intergenerational injustice. Shortly after launching the 1.8 campaign, the AYC represented PMNCH and the campaign at COP27, both at the C