Munya Mandipaza – Executive Director
The last few months have proven to be catastrophic for global health and development. Sector-wide funding cuts and a lack of alternative options, and a pushback on critical rights, threaten the gains made over recent decades. The devastating cycle of natural and man-made disasters only reminds us of that vulnerable populations – especially women, children, and adolescents continue to be some of the most affected groups in the face of such crises and disasters. Yet, despite the urgency, glaring gaps persist in access to accurate information, essential hea
health services, and fundamental rights.
There continue to be dire consequences of inadequate access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women and girls.
Maternal deaths remain unacceptably high. As per the latest WHO estimates, a maternal death occurred almost every 2 minutes in 2023, and every day in 2023, over 700 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. WHO also estimates that globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental health issue, accounting for 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group. Depression, anxiety, and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. According to UNICEF, globally in 2023, an estimated 13 per cent of adolescent girls and young women gave birth before age 18.
Global commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Every Woman Every Child initiative have driven progress, yet we are not on track to meet our targets by 2030. Maternal mortality rates have stagnated in many regions, adolescent pregnancies continue to be alarmingly high, and emerging crises—from climate change to conflicts—exacerbate the vulnerabilities faced by women, children, and adolescents.
Advocating for Women’s, Children’s, and Adolescents’ Health through the World Health Assembly
The month of May 2025 brought with it the World Health Assembly, where the INERELA+ Executive Director engaged in some of the most honest and necessary conversations about the future of global health and development, including the dire need to address the inadequate access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services, particularly for women and girls. We must double down on our commitments to young people for without investment in adolescent SRHR, meaningful adolescent and youth engagement and rights-based approaches, we face stalled progress towards health equity, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and economic and social development.
Despite the many challenges Civil Society is facing, the spirit of the Assembly was strikingly hopeful with a shared recognition of the urgent need to rethink and realign our global architecture and operating models. We witnessed renewed commitment to a bold, collective vision for gender equality, and women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (WCAH) – a vision that demands alignment, innovation, and a willingness to do things differently. If not now, when?
The first event at the World Health Assembly ,“Doing Better with Less: Rethinking the Approach to Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health,” focused on priority areas and multisectoral approaches towards 2030 targets. The second event, “Future Forward: Advancing Adolescent Data, Measurement and Advocacy Gaps,” drew attention to the need for increased accountability for adolescent health and well-being (AHWB). These convenings brought forward actionable insights and commitments to do better—for everyone, everywhere.
Finally, at the World Health Assembly we saw the tabling of the progress update on the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health. During the deliberations, Member States highlighted a multitude of issues including the pressing need for investments in community level care and health workforce to deliver life-saving interventions, the growing need for equitable financing and solutions to support vulnerable women and girls, especially those in humanitarian and conflict settings, and the significant role of multisectoral responses in accelerating progress on the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents.
It is evident that business-as-usual approaches are insufficient. We need transformational change, built on the foundation of meaningful partnerships. The cost of inaction is too high – economically, socially, and morally.
At a time when global solidarity is fraying, let us not turn away from those who need it most. Let us remember that the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents are not secondary issues. They are the foundation for resilient, peaceful, and prosperous societies.
Change must begin with three key shifts. First, we must put women, children, and adolescents at the centre of policies and investments. We must prioritise and invest in health systems and interventions that are people-centred, inclusive, and resilient, particularly for those who have historically been left behind. This includes scaling up integrated SRHR services, mental health support, and nutrition interventions.
Secondly, we must ensure youth-driven and youth-co-owned solutions. Adolescents should not be seen as passive beneficiaries but as co-creators of the systems and services they use. When young people are empowered to lead—through youth-led accountability, advocacy, and research we see smarter, more sustainable results.
Thirdly, we must strengthen partnerships and accountability. Governments, civil society, the private sector, and multilateral actors must work together in true partnership, not just in words, but through shared action, resources, and decision-making. We must hold each other accountable for commitments made, especially those under frameworks like the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health and the SDGs.
We have the tools and the evidence. Now, we must act with urgency, boldness, and in solidarity. A healthier, more equitable world isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity, a must-have
Sincerely
Munya Mandipaza – INERELA+ Executive Director