A United Nations initiative to combat ill health and the premature/preventable death of women, children and adolescents worldwide recently gained a Pacific Islands representative with the appointment of Dame Meg Taylor, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, to the Every Woman Every Child High Level Advisory Group.

The High Level Group will provide leadership and inspire action through the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescent’s Health (a five year roadmap) to eventually eradicate the health challenges facing women, children and adolescents. The group will also advise the UN Secretary General on progress, key challenges and recommendations of the project.

In a statement released on 28 January, Dame Meg Taylor said that she believed this work to be vitally important and she was ready to receive and share the thoughts and ideas of people, communities and countries across the Pacific.

“If we are to transform the world then we must ensure an environment for future generations that prioritises health and well-being,” said Dame Meg. “Healthy women, children and adolescents are a foundation for prosperous communities and sustainable development within those communities. Everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential by living healthy and worthwhile lives”.

Issues such as communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental illness, injuries and violence, malnutrition, complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and unwanted pregnancy as well as a lack of quality health-care services and life saving commodities are being tackled under the project.

The Every Woman Every Child initiative is a movement focused on putting an end to health challenges faced by women, children and adolescents around the world. 

Source: Pacific Island Forum Secretariat