2009 Top Stories
January - March 2009
Governments declare maternal mortality a human rights violation
16 MARCH 2009 | GENEVA - In a joint statement delivered to the UN Human Rights Council, 83 Governments reaffirmed their commitment to addressing maternal mortality as a human rights issue. They called upon the Council to address the unacceptable number of women dying from pregnancy or childbirth each year. The joint statement represents one of the largest joint intergovernmental statements delivered to the Council, and the first to address maternal mortality and human rights.
Taskforce on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems receives two Working Group Reports
13 MARCH 2009 | LONDON UK - The High Level Taskforce (HLTF) on Innovative International Financing for Health Systems has received its first recommendations from two Working Groups as well as critiques from civil society. At its meetings held London on 13 March, the Taskforce chaired by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and World Bank President Robert Zoellick, heard predictions that more mothers and children will die of preventable diseases this year than last becuase of the financial crisis. A week earlier, the Taskforce held a consultation with civil society on 5 March, also in London.
- Details on the second meeting of the HLTF 13 March 2009
- Details of the Taskforce's Civil Society Forum 5 March 2009
WHO: Women an men urged to work together to end violence
6 MARCH 2009 | GENEVA - In a statement to mark International Women’s Day on March 8th , the World Health Organization Director-General Dr Margaret Chan has signalled the need for men and women to unite to end violence against women and girls and help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
Burkina Faso's First Lady calls on film industry to save women
2 MARCH 2009 | OUAGADOUGOU - The First Lady of Burkina Faso has called on the artists and communicators of Africa to save the lives of some 1500 African women who die needlessly each day from causes linked to pregnancy or birth. H.E. Mrs Chantal Compaoré was speaking as guest of honour at the 21st Pan African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou.
UN Special High-Level Event: Philanthropy and Global Public Health
23 FEBRUARY 2009 | NEW YORK - More than 500 high-level politicians, corporate leaders, donors and members of civil society met at the United Nations to identify ways to increase corporate sector responsibility and funding for health.
SEMINAR: Maternal, newborn and child health at a cross-roads - Where to go next?
18 FEBRUARY 2009 | WASHINGTON DC - A seminar jointly organized by the World Bank and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health examined how to finance actions to save mother and child lives.
Launch of Deliver Now Media campaign in Orissa, India
10 FEBRUARY 2009 | ORISSA - Deliver Now for Women + Children India has entered a new phase with the launch of an extensive media campaign in the province of Orissa. Five TV and radio spots will be broadcast for six months promoting good practices and positive behaviour for better maternal, newborn and child health.
US advocates call on President Obama to champion family health
30 JANUARY 2009 | GENEVA - With President Barack Obama now in the White House, U.S. health advocates are wasting no time in urging his new administration to strengthen its commitments to global family health.
Italian women Parliamentarians commit to maternal, newborn & child health
23 JANUARY 2009 | GENEVA - Ten women Parliamentarians from Italy met with WHO, PMNCH and the NGO, O.N.Da to discuss increasing Italy's commitment to maternal and child health. They agreed to work on two draft bills regarding C-sections and international aid for MNCH, ahead of the 2009 G8 meeting, in Italy.
UNICEF 2009 flagship report: Extreme risks for pregnant women & newborn babies in developing countries
15 JANUARY 2009 | JOHANNESBURG/NEW YORK/GENEVA - Women in the world’s least developed countries are 300 times more likely to die in childbirth or from pregnancy-related complications than women in developed countries, according to UNICEF’s latest State of the World’s Children report. The new publication highlights links between maternal and neonatal survival, and suggests opportunities to close the gap between rich and poor countries.