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2012 Africa Regional Consultation

Partners in Population and Development, Africa Regional Office (PPDARO) ; Ministry of Health, Uganda and Women Deliver, organised an Africa Regional Consultation meeting on Achieving MDG 5: Challenges, Opportunities and Lessons Learned.

This meeting took place on Tuesday, March 27th and Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda.This invitation-only expert consultation focused on regional best practices, success stories, and challenges to improve maternal and reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa. 246 government officials, Parliamentarians, and civil society and private sector representatives attended the two day high-level meeting. Pathways for future progress and the development landscape were reviewed, with a discussion of the International Conference on Population and Development’s (ICPD) Plan of Action and Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5.

Recommendations from the consultation will be widely disseminated and will help shape the agenda for Women Deliver 2013, to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from May 28 to 30, 2013.

The meeting was supported by: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Danish International Development Agency, MSD, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, UNAIDS and The World Bank.

A number of key documents such as meeting agenda, speeches and presentations from the meeting are available online by clicking on the links below.

http://ppdafrica.org/en/programs/policydialog/africa-regional-consultation

 

 

WHO Summary on the 2012 Africa Regional Consultation

WHO Summary on Africa Regional Consultation on Achieving MDG 5
Challenges Opportunities and Lessons Learned

27-28 MARCH 2012 | KAMPALA, UGANDA - Almost 200 partners, including policy-makers, researchers, experts and advocates gathered in a forum to discuss key issues in the struggle to achieve Millennium Development Goal 5, the UN MDG aimed at improving maternal health and reducing maternal mortality. The session was opened formally by Her Excellency, Mrs Janet Museveni, the First Lady of Uganda, who joined health advocates in the Africa region in renewing and discussing their commitment to women’s and children’s health.

Organized by Women Deliver in partnership with Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office, the results of these discussions will inform the 2013 Women Deliver Conference.

Discussion topics

Exchanges between partners focused on the fact that Africa has only made one-third of the progress needed to reach Millennium Development Goal 5. Different sessions focused on identifying key challenges and opportunities to improve reproductive and maternal health in Africa. Topics included regional success stories, lessons learned, and pathways for future progress in maternal and reproductive health with a focus on the International Conference on Population and Development's (ICPD) Plan of Action and Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

Discussions also identified the key interventions that advocacy efforts should tackle. These included:

Addressing inadequate coverage of essential interventions for women and children;
Strengthening health systems to provide integrated quality care;
Supporting vulnerable adolescent girls through legislation, education and health interventions; and
Removing the barriers to access to health (i.e. financial, cultural, social and others).

A final discussion looked at the MDG and ICPD Frameworks, and how to prioritize girls and women in the post-2015 Framework following the target year of the MDGs.

This workshop is one of several regional consultations in preparation of the Women Deliver Conference, and was supported by PMNCH and several partners including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Danish International Development Agency, MSD, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, UNAIDS and The World Bank.

Source: http://www.who.int/pmnch/media/news/2012/20120327-28_achievingmdg5/en/index.html

 

News Article: Nigeria: Improving Health of Women and Children

News Article: Nigeria: Improving Health of Women and Children
By Ruby Leo, 27 March 2020
Daily Trust (Nigeria)

As policymakers, researchers and advocates from across Africa gather in Kampala, Uganda, yesterday for a regional consultation on maternal and reproductive health, the issue these prominent persons were expected to discuss was how to improve the lot of women and children in the African continent.

At this meeting, convened by Partners in Population and Development and Global Advocacy Organization Women Deliver, experts will discuss lessons learned, best practices and challenges for improving the health and wellbeing of girls and women.
Partners in Population and the Development, Africa Regional Director, Uganda, Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, has called on leaders to prioritize the health and well-being of girls and women.

According to Musinguzi just a few weeks ago, on 8 March, the world celebrated International Women's Day, which he said serves as a clarion call to honor girls' and women's contributions to their families, communities and nations.

He reasoned that as global population swells to over 7 billion, countries must work to ensure that every girl and woman live long, healthy and happy life.

Those expected to be in attendance in Kampala, from 27-28 March are policymakers, researchers and advocates from across the continent - including Nigerian Parliamentary Advocates for Population and Development's CEO Hon. Saudatu Sani.

Musinguzi said, "across Africa, far too many women die while giving life. Africa has the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with 48% of all global maternal deaths occurring in this region. A woman in Nigeria has a 1 in 23 lifetime risk of dying in pregnancy or childbirth, and this risk is even higher in other African countries. Hundreds of thousands more women are injured while giving birth.

"In rural areas, the outlook for women and girls is often even bleaker. Rural girls and women are less likely to receive an education, own property or be financially independent, despite the contributions they make to our societies and economies. They are also less likely to receive the health services they need, such as family planning or skilled care before, during or after birth".

These experts would also dwell on a recent study which revealed that 640 rural women die during pregnancy and childbirth per every 100,000 live births, as compared to 447 urban women.

The meeting would also try to look for implementable policies that would change the fact that many women in rural areas do not have the financial resources and transportation needed to travel to far-off health facilities, and if they do make it to a facility, many encounter language barriers, unaffordable fees or shuttered doors.

Musinguzi continued, "many of Africa's maternal deaths could be prevented with increased access to family planning services. Unfortunately, many women do not have this access.

"In Nigeria, for example, 17% of rural women want, but do not have access to, family planning services and, overall, only 10% of married women report using modern contraceptives regularly".

"If we provide girls, women and their partners with family planning information and services we can empower them to decide the number, timing and spacing of their children - and whether they want to become pregnant at all. Intended pregnancies are safer and healthier pregnancies."

"But despite these gloomy facts, there is still a glimpse of hope because according to the World Health Organization, an estimated one-third fewer women worldwide are dying from complications during pregnancy and childbirth now than in 1990.
In sub-Saharan Africa in particular, maternal mortality has declined by 26% over the past two decades."

Dr. Jotham Musinguzi added that the continent has seen greater political commitment towards reducing maternal deaths with the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality (CARMMA), launched in 2009 with more than 30 African countries' support, sets clear pathways to reach measurable goals around maternal health.

"The Office of the United Nations Secretary-General's Every Woman Every Child campaign and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health are two global initiatives that have each convened government, civil society and corporate leaders to improve the lives of women and children".

"The recent decline in maternal deaths in Africa and increase in political will are welcome signs that real and lasting progress can - and will - be a reality. The Kampala consultation will provide Africa's leaders with an unprecedented opportunity to work together to build on past successes and pave a way forward for improving the lives of girls and women in Nigeria and worldwide".

He emphasized, "The time is now to deliver for girls and women. Let's join together to celebrate them every day by making their health and wellbeing a top global priority".

Copyright © 2012 Daily Trust.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201203270318.html

 

News Article: Continent Needs Caring Leaders - Janet Museveni

News Article: Continent Needs Caring Leaders - Janet Museveni
New Vision (Uganda)
By Catherine Mwesigwa Kizza and Ann Mugisa
28 MARCH 2020

Africans need to look within themselves and do their best according to their calling if Africa is to stop being a reproach among the nations of the world.

"We need leaders and medical personnel who care enough to rise and rebuild Africa." "Our strength should come from within us, we should not expect it from the outside."

The First Lady of Uganda , Mrs Janet Museveni made the call while opening the African Regional Consultation on MDG 5 at Kampala in Munyonyo on Tuesday.

She said the women of Uganda were not just waiting but working and needed partners to help them achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over 90% of the global maternal deaths.

"Are these numbers of women really dying because of circumstances beyond our control or is there a reasonable degree of carelessness?" she asked in rhetoric.

Mrs Museveni noted that maternal mortality is a critical indicator of the state of our health system and the disparities between the rich and poor .

She noted that there was need for a fresh message to spur progress and urged leaders who cared to take action.

"If our health workers decided that no mother will die, we can see the same miracle we saw in Uganda with HIV", she said.

Uganda reduced HIV prevalence from 30% in the 1990s to 6% by 2005 using a multi-disciplinary approach.

"We arose as a people, fought HIV head on and performed a miracle," she said.

The African Regional Consultation on MDG 5 organized by Women Deliver, a global advocacy organization for maternal health in partnership with Partnership for Population and Development Africa is has brought together 150 delegates from Africa to discuss opportunities for improving maternal, sexual and reproductive health and identify barriers to meeting the needs of girls and.

Speaking at the same meeting, Dr Christine Ondoa the Minister of health said that Uganda had made progress in reducing infant mortality from 76 to 54 deaths per 1000 live births. She however, noted that preliminary results of a new survey show that maternal mortality had reduced slightly from 435 deaths to 345 deaths per 100,000 live births. She said a comprehensive survey is to be done this year to confirm these findings.

Ondoa said Uganda and Africa's efforts to reduce maternal death were being slowed down because of weak health systems and a health human resource crisis but there were also opportunities for progress.

Jill Sheffield, the President of Women Deliver noted that though past years have shown that maternal mortality is in decline, African women were still at high risk of maternal death with one in 31 women dying in childbirth.

She underscored the importance of different stakeholders bringing different solutions to the table to look for solutions to prioritise girls and women for the development framework.

In an opening address, Janet Jackson the UNFPA Representative, highlighted as one of the opportunities, the high unmet need for Family Planning in Africa.

Citing Uganda as an example, she said the 26% Contraception Prevalence Rate and unmet need for Family Planning of 41% (UDHS 2006) meant a possible demand of Family Planning of 65%.

"Imagine how this would impact the lives of men and women. This could herald a whole range of opportunities," she said.

In a keynote address, Jean Christoph Fotso, the head of the African Population Research Council said Africa's target to achieving MDG 5 was a maternal mortality ratio of 217.5 deaths per 100,000 live births but by 2008 had only achieved 640 deaths per 100,000 live births.

He pointed out that to achieve the target, there was need for health sector governance and strong political will; a need to address human resources for health, infrastructure and equipment gaps.

He underscored the importance of Family Planning in the achievement of all the MDGs.

"If you get it right on Family Planning, you are heading to achieving the MDGs," he said.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201203280111.html

 

News Article: Health experts convene to achieve MDG 5

News Article: Health experts convene to achieve MDG 5
African Business Review
Written by Jonny Williamson
28 Mar 2020

Researchers and policymakers from 27 African countries are coming together to ensure that the wellbeing of girls and women continues to be a regional priority.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight objectives agreed by all 193 members of the United Nations and 23 international organisations. With 2015 set as the deadline, the global goals include eradicating extreme poverty, fighting disease epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, achieving universal primary education and developing a global partnership for development.

Originally set out at the Millennium Summit in 2000, progress towards achieving the goals has been mixed with advancement for some goals but others proving more difficult.

One of those still lacking is MDG 5, the aim of reducing child mortality rates and ensuring universal access to reproductive healthcare. It is hoped that improvements for these issues will be discussed during the two-day conference, beginning today.   

The aim of the conference, taking place in Kampala, Uganda, is to share best practices across the region and determine how to ensure the health of girls and women remain a priority.

Professor Fred T. Sai, a Ghanaian physician and women’s health advocate, said at the pre-conference:

“Youth are one of the world’s greatest resources, and we must ensure that they are empowered with the tools and the knowledge they need to lead long, healthy and productive lives.”

Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, Africa Regional Director of Partners in Population and Development, explained:

“By participating in this important meeting, African leaders were decisively demonstrating their commitment to improving the lives of Africa’s girls and women. On this continent and around the world, girls and women play a critical role in their families, communities and nations, we owe it to them to do all we can to protect their health and well-being.”

Over the last 20 years, Sub-Saharan Africa has made progress towards improving maternal, sexual and reproductive health, with a 26 percent drop the region’s maternal mortality rate. However, many significant challenges remain, 39 percent of pregnancies are still unattended and only 17 percent of married women use modern contraception.

On average, there is a one in 31 chance a Sub-Saharan woman will die during pregnancy or childbirth, and over 500 women die each day of pregnancy-related causes.

Source: http://www.africanbusinessreview.co.za/business_leaders/health-experts-convene-to-achieve-mdg-5

 

News Article: Policymakers review maternal mortality progress

News Article: Policymakers review maternal mortality progress
Tuesday, 27 March 2020
Independent (Uganda)
By Rukiya Makuma

On 27 March, policymakers and advocates  from sub-Saharan Africa gathered in Kampala, Uganda, at a regional consultation convened by Partners in Population and Development and global advocacy organization Women Deliver. The consultation was to reaffirm national and regional commitments to Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 reducing maternal mortality and ensuring universal access to reproductive health.

“We are at a critical juncture in global efforts to improve maternal and reproductive health,” said Jill Sheffield, President of Women Deliver. “We have seen time and time again that prioritizing girls and women is a good investment – and a smart one. Now, more than ever, we need the political will and resources required to achieve the goals we’ve set and deliver on the promises we’ve made.”

Martin Chungong the Director program for the Promotion of Democracy, Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) said there is a growing determination to involve parliaments in the maternal health fight because previously there has been little or no political input yet maternal health affects a whole majority of the population with millions of women dying.

Christine Ondoa the Minister for Health for Uganda said though there is some achievement in the health sector, there is still a lot that needs to be done to ensure that Uganda is on track to meet the 2015 deadline. She said the meeting is timely because it will give an opportunity to countries to know their progress, the challenges and lessons that will be necessary for countries to achieve MDG 5. According to the 2006 statistics Uganda loses 435 women per 100,00 live births.

Janet Museveni, the First lady said maternal mortality still remains a critical indicator of the state of our health systems and it also reflects on the disparities among the rich and poor. She said the government is doing everything it can to ensure that women do not die in pregnancy and childbirth.

http://www.independent.co.ug/news/news/5486-policymakers-review-maternal-mortality-progress

 

 

News Article: No woman should die giving life, says Janet Museveni

News Article: No woman should die giving life, says Janet Museveni
Monitor (Uganda)
27 March 2020
By Agatha Ayebazibwe  (email the author)

The first lady, Ms Janet Museveni, has called upon health workers to carefully handle mothers during child delivery to reduce cases of maternal and child mortality in the country while at the same time lowering the avoidable causes.

Citing carelessness and negligence as some of the causes of maternal death, Ms Janet Museveni said health workers are trained to save lives whether with or without equipment in the hospital or drugs.

“I have visited countries which are not blessed as Uganda is but their social systems function better than ours. Most of the mothers do not die because of circumstances beyond our control, they are avoidable but because people do not know that saving lives and mothers in particular is a calling,” she said.

Ms Museven was addressing leaders of 27 African countries at the official opening of the African Regional Consultation on achieving millennium Development goal 5 in kampala yesterday.

The two-day meeting brings together policymakers, advocates and researchers from across sub-Saharan Africa to reaffirm national and regional commitments to MDG 5 – reducing maternal mortality and ensuring universal access to reproductive health. The participants are expected to come up with best practices to foster women and girls’ health beyond 2015.

While Sub-Saharan Africa has made progress toward improving maternal, sexual and reproductive health, significant challenges still remain. Since 1990, maternal mortality has decreased by 26% across the region, but 39% of pregnancies are still unintended, and only 17% of married women of reproductive age use modern contraception.

According to the President of Women Deliver, a global advocacy organisation that brings together people from around the World to call for improved health and wellbeing of girls and women, Ms Jill Sheffield, a woman in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 31 chance of dying during pregnancy or childbirth. At least 570 women die each day of pregnancy-related causes in Sub-Saharan Africa while in Uganda 16 women die daily.

Background. In Uganda, data from UNFPA shows that only 26 per cent of women have access to modern family planning methods, 44 per cent of pregnancies are unintended while 40 percent of pregnant women attend ante-natal care. 66 per cent give birth without skilled birth attendance.

Whereas the government is struggling to reduce maternal and child mortality, which currently stand at 454 per 100,000 live births, and 54 per 1000 babies born respectively, Ms Museveni said that such government objectives can only be met as a result of the quality of people from whom leaders are derived.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1374762/-/awq0oez/-/index.html

 

News Article: Maternal and Reproductive Health Issues Take Center Stage in Africa

News Article: Maternal and Reproductive Health Issues Take Center Stage in Africa
By Women Deliver
Modern Ghana

27 March 2020

Leaders from 27 African countries gather at 'African Regional Consultation on Achieving Millennium Development Goal 5' to make the health of girls and women a regional priority

Kampala, Uganda – On 27-28 March, policymakers, advocates and researchers from across sub-Saharan Africa are gathering in Kampala, Uganda, to reaffirm national and regional commitments to Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 – reducing maternal mortality and ensuring universal access to reproductive health.

At the regional consultation, convened by Partners in Population and Development and global advocacy organization Women Deliver, leading experts will discuss lessons learned in maternal, sexual and reproductive health and identify barriers to meeting the needs of girls and women in the lead-up to the 2015 MDG target date and beyond.

Speakers at the conference will include high-level government representatives from across Africa, such as Ugandan First Lady Janet Museveni; Ugandan Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Christine Ondoa; Ghanaian Member of Parliament and Ranking Member of the Health Committee Hon. Dr. Richard W. Anane; and Nigerian Parliamentary Advocates for Population and Development CEO Hon. Saudatu Sani. Nearly 30 African parliamentarians will be in attendance.

“I am proud to join this diverse group of stakeholders in Kampala to collaborate around a common goal: improving the lives of Africa's girls and women,” said Hon. Saudatu Sani. “Every country represented here today has unique experiences to share and, working together, we can develop innovative, cross-cutting solutions to address the most pressing challenges facing girls and women across Africa.”

In recent years, sub-Saharan Africa has made progress toward improving maternal, sexual and reproductive health; however, significant challenges still remain. Since 1990, maternal mortality has decreased by 26% across the region, but 39% of pregnancies are still unintended, and only 17% of married women of reproductive age use modern contraception. On average, a woman in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 31 chance of dying during pregnancy or childbirth, and 570 women die each day of pregnancy-related causes.

“By participating in this important meeting, Africa's leaders are decisively demonstrating their commitment to improving the lives of Africa's girls and women,” said Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, Africa Regional Director of Partners in Population and Development. “On this continent and around the world, girls and women play a critical role in their families, communities and nations, and we owe it to them to do all we can to protect their health and well being.”

Of the eight MDGs, progress toward MDG 5 has been lagging furthest behind. Conference participants will share best practices from across the region and determine how to continue the momentum on girls' and women's health beyond 2015.

“We are at a critical juncture in global efforts to improve maternal and reproductive health,” said Jill Sheffield, President of Women Deliver. “We have seen time and time again that prioritizing girls and women is a good investment – and a smart one. Now, more than ever, we need the political will and resources required to achieve the goals we've set and deliver on the promises we've made.”

The regional consultation was preceded by a youth pre-conference, which aimed to teach 21 young people from 11 countries how to most effectively use advocacy and communications to amplify maternal, sexual and reproductive health messaging at the local, national and regional levels.

“It is crucial that we engage young people in discussions about reproductive health and family planning early,” said Ghanaian physician and women's health advocate Dr. Fred Sai, who spoke at the youth pre-conference. “Youth are one of the world's greatest resources, and we must ensure that they are empowered with the tools and the knowledge they need to lead long, healthy and productive lives.”

The Africa Regional Consultation is the first of four regional meetings hosted by Women Deliver and partner organizations in 2012, with additional events to follow in Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. The conversations at these consultations are also intended to help shape the agenda for Women Deliver 2013, Women Deliver's 3rd Global Conference, which will take place 28-30 May 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Source: http://www.modernghana.com/news/385844/1/maternal-and-reproductive-health-issues-take-cente.html

 

News Article: African health experts meet to discuss achieving MDG 5

News Article: African health experts meet to discuss achieving MDG 5

Health News of Tuesday, 27 March 2020
Source: GNA
Ghana Web

Policymakers, advocates and researchers across Sub-Saharan Africa are meeting in Kampala, Uganda, to reaffirm national and regional commitments to achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, to ensure that the health of girls and women became a regional priority.

The two-day regional consultation meeting is convened by partners in population and development, a global advocacy organisation 'Women Deliver'.

A statement signed by Women Deliver, copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said leading experts from 27 African countries would discuss lessons learned in maternal, sexual and reproductive health, and identify barriers to meeting the needs of girls and women in the lead-up to the 2015 MDG target date and beyond.

Speakers at the conference would include high-level government representatives across Africa, such as Ugandan First Lady Janet Museveni; Ugandan Minister of Health, Dr Christine Ondoa; Ghanaian Member of Parliament and Ranking Member of Health Committee, Dr Richard Winifred Anane; and Nigerian Parliamentary Advocates for Population and Development, Mr Saudatu Sani.

The statement noted that, of the eight MDGs, progress towards MDGs which talks about reducing maternal mortality and ensuring universal access to reproductive health had been lagging furthest behind.

Conference participants will thus, share best practices across the region and determine how to continue the momentum on girls’ and women’s health beyond 2015.

Ms Jill Sheffield, President of Women Deliver, said: “We are at a critical juncture in global efforts to improve maternal and reproductive health. We have seen time and time again that prioritising girls and women is a good investment – and a smart one. Now, more than ever, we need the political will and resources required to achieve the goals we’ve set and to deliver on the promises we’ve made.”

Professor Fred T. Sai, a Ghanaian physician, and women’s health advocate, who spoke at the youth pre-conference, said it was crucial that young people were engaged in discussions on reproductive health and family planning early.

He said: “Youth are one of the world’s greatest resources, and we must ensure that they are empowered with the tools and the knowledge they need to lead long, healthy and productive lives.”

The regional consultation was preceded by a youth pre-conference, which aimed to teach 21 young people from 11 countries how to most effectively use advocacy and communication to amplify maternal, sexual and reproductive health messaging at the local, national and regional levels.

Dr Jotham Musinguzi, Africa Regional Director of Partners in Population and Development, explained that by participating in this important meeting, African leaders were decisively demonstrating their commitment to improving the lives of Africa’s girls and women.

“On this continent and around the world, girls and women play a critical role in their families, communities and nations, and we owe it to them to do all we can to protect their health and well being,” he said.

Mr Sani, Nigerian Parliamentary Advocates for Population and Development, said: “Every country represented here today, has unique experiences to share and, working together, we can develop innovative, cross-cutting solutions to address the most pressing challenges facing girls and women across Africa.”

In recent years, Sub-Saharan Africa has made progress toward improving maternal, sexual and reproductive health; however, significant challenges still remain.

Since 1990, maternal mortality has decreased by 26 per cent across the region, but 39 per cent of pregnancies are still unintended, and only 17 per cent of married women of reproductive age use modern contraception.

On the average, a woman in Sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 31 chance of dying during pregnancy or childbirth, and 570 women die each day of pregnancy-related causes.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/health/artikel.php?ID=234122

 

News Article: African Leaders Tackle Maternal, Reproductive Health

African Leaders Tackle Maternal, Reproductive Health
22 Mar 2021
This Day/ All Africa

By Steve Dada

Next week, policymakers and advocates will meet in Kampala, Uganda, to push for accelerated progress in improving maternal, sexual and reproductive health for girls and women. Convened by Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office and Women Deliver, a global advocacy organisation, this consultation will bring together parliamentarians, government ministry officials, civil society representatives and youth advocates to review regional success stories, examine lessons learned and identify priorities for future international development goals to reduce maternal mortality and achieve universal access to reproductive health.

First Lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni, will provide official remarks at the meeting’s opening session. Other prominent leaders, including Honorable Dr. Christine Ondoa, Uganda’s Minister of Health, and Jotham Musinguzi, Africa Regional Director of Partners in Population and Development, will also speak during the two-day consultation. Nearly 30 parliamentarians will be in attendance.

“The participation of so many high-level African leaders at this meeting demonstrates that the health of the continent’s women and girls is an urgent priority,” said Musinguzi. “In the lead up to the 2015 Millennium Development Goal target date, it is more critical than ever that we work together to address the maternal and reproductive health needs in our countries and ensure that our actions make a positive and lasting change on as many lives as possible.”

Since 1990, maternal mortality has decreased by 26 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa. However, 39 per cent of pregnancies are still unintended, and only 17 per cent of married women of reproductive age use modern contraception. On average, 1 in 31 women in sub-Saharan Africa will die during pregnancy or childbirth. Increased access to interventions, including contraception, pre- and post-natal care and skilled healthcare workers, could help dramatically improve maternal and reproductive health across the continent.

“Africa faces unique challenges when it comes to women’s health, and organizations and individuals are overcoming those challenges with equally unique solutions,” said Jill Sheffield, President and Founder of Women Deliver. “This consultation will provide African policymakers and advocates with the opportunity to share their national and regional expertise to tackle some of the most pressing issues faced by girls and women.”

The Africa Regional Consultation is the first of four regional meetings hosted by Women Deliver and partner organizations in 2012, with additional events to follow in Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. The conversations at these consultations are also intended to help shape the agenda for Women Deliver 2013, Women Deliver’s 3rd Global Conference, which will take place 28-30 May 2013 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Source: http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/african-leaders-tackle-maternal-reproductive-health/112036/
http://allafrica.com/stories/201203221340.html

 

OP-ED: It's Time to Deliver for Girls and Women

OP-ED: It's Time to Deliver for Girls and Women
Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2021
Source: The Independent (Uganda)
Author: Dr. Jotham Musinguzi

A few weeks ago, on 8 March, the world celebrated International Women's Day, which serves as a clarion call to honor girls' and women's contributions to their families, communities and nations. As our global population swells to over 7 billion, we must heed this call by working to ensure that every girl and woman lives a long, healthy and happy life.

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