Realizing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls: A Breakthrough Strategy for Lasting Development and Prosperity
The health and status of women and girls are inextricably linked to the well-being and prosperity of families, communities, and economies. Yet today, nearly 15 years on from the launch of the MDGs, progress on reproductive health lags seriously behind. Approximately 800 women and girls die every day from complications related to pregnancy or childbirth, and 99 percent of these occur in developing countries. Additionally, over 222 million women have an unmet need for modern contraception.
Investing in the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls has never been more critical. The largest-ever cohort of young people is entering their reproductive years, and their access to sexual and reproductive health information and services will have enormous implications for the trajectories of their lives. Advancing the reproductive health of women and girls also pays enormous dividends for development – poverty rates go down, educ ation rates go up and greater prosperity follows.
The Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations and the Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health invite you to join the discussion on how we can ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights are a priority in the post-2015 development agenda.
Speakers:
- Ms Kula Fofana, Paramount Young Women Initiative Liberia
- Ms Jessie Nalungwe, youth program officer, Youth Vision Zambia
- Ms Nana Kuo, senior manager, Every Woman Every Child
- Mr Chola Chabala, director of National Planning, Ministry of Finance, Zambia
- Honourable Joy Phumaphi, chair, Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health and former Minister of Health, Botswana
Moderator:
- Dr Mwaba P. Kasese-Bota, ambassador and permanent representative of Zambia to the United Nations