A future led by HER – Health, Equity and Rights
2 May 2024
Summit of the Future: leave no one behind on the road to a better tomorrow
The clock is ticking on achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by 2030. Data shows, however, that the world is not on track to meet most of the SDGs by the 2030 end date, including gender equality goals and the overarching health goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The Summit of the Future, happening this September at the UN General Assembly, aims to get the world back on track and address new global challenges that have emerged since the SDGs were negotiated over a decade ago. A crucial UN Civil Society Conference will take place on May 9-10th in Nairobi to include the perspectives of civil society in the Summit process. Women in Global Health will be engaging at global and national levels, sending a delegation to the UN Civil Society Conference in May and the UN General Assembly in September. The Summit’s outcome document, the Pact for the Future, must reflect commitments made to the rights of women and girls and gender equality. At Women in Global Health, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a Pact for the Future that truly advances gender equality and the well-being of all.
Commit with us to a healthy, gender-equal future
The future we want is a healthy future for all
Recognizing health as a universal right for well-being, thriving economies, and peace, we must rebuild equal after the devastation of the pandemic. To ensure health for all, we must prioritize gender equality and the rights of women and girls as committed by member states in numerous global agreements.
Gender equality plays a critical role in global health
Despite comprising 70% of the health workforce, women hold only 25% of senior leadership roles in health. They are undervalued, earning on average 24% less than their male counterparts and at least 6 million women work unpaid and grossly underpaid in core health systems’ roles. We call for gender equality in health leadership as the vital foundation for strong health services and universal access to health.
Gender-responsive health systems and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are a priority for the future
The Summit of the Future must highlight the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitment to UHC. It must prioritize gender equality by ensuring member states fulfill their pledge to gender-responsive health systems made last year at the UN High-Level Meeting on UHC.
Fundamental rights must be defended
The speed and scale of the global to national campaign to roll back gender equality, women’s rights, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is alarming. Civil society is determined to defend progress made on these fronts, recognizing that women’s and girls’ bodily autonomy and health rights are imperative to achieving the SDGs.
Global risks require urgent multilateral action
As global crises like climate change and conflict disproportionately harm the most vulnerable populations, especially women and girls, a united global response is essential to protect progress in health and ensure social welfare for all.
Take action with us
We are mobilizing our community to advocate for a Pact for the Future that strongly reflects commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. Join us in our advocacy!
Join our virtual UN CSC side event
