Fragile gains made to
advance women and children’s health are threatened by conflict, the climate
crisis and COVID-19, according to a new report from Every Woman Every Child.
Protect the Progress:
Rise, Refocus, Recover, 2020 highlights that since the Every Woman Every Child
movement was launched 10 years ago, spearheaded by the United Nations
Secretary-General, there has been remarkable progress in improving the health
of the world’s women, children and adolescents. For example, under-five deaths
reached an all-time recorded low in 2019, and more than 1 billion children were
vaccinated over the past decade. Coverage of immunization, skilled birth
attendant and access to safe drinking water reached over 80 per cent. Maternal
deaths declined by 35 per cent since 2000, with the most significant declines
occurring from 2010. An estimated 25 million child marriages were also
prevented over the past decade.
However, conflict,
climate instability and the COVID-19 pandemic are putting the health and
well-being of all children and adolescents at risk. The COVID-19 crisis, in
particular, is exacerbating existing inequities, with reported disruptions in
essential health interventions disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable
women and children. At the height of pandemic lockdowns, schools were closed in
192 countries, affecting 1.6 billion students. Domestic violence and abuse of
girls and women increased. Poverty and hunger are also on the rise.
“Even before the
COVID-19 pandemic, a child under the age of five died every six seconds
somewhere around the world,” said Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director.
“Millions of children living in conflict zones and fragile settings face even
greater hardship with the onset of the pandemic. We need to work collectively
to meet immediate needs caused by the pandemic while also strengthening health
systems. Only then can we protect and save lives.”
In 2019, 5.2 million
children under the age of 5 and 1 million adolescents died of preventable
causes. Every 13 seconds a newborn baby died. Every hour 33 women did not
survive childbirth; and 33,000 girls a day were forced into marriages, usually
to much older men.
The report examines
the deep-rooted inequities which continue to deprive women, children and
adolescents of their rights – noting birthplace as a significant determinant of
survival. In 2019, 82 percent of under-5 deaths and 86 percent of maternal
deaths were concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Nine in 10
paediatric HIV infections occurred in sub-Saharan Africa. Maternal, newborn,
child and adolescent mortality rates were substantially higher in countries
chronically affected by conflict.
“For too long, the
health and rights of women, children, and adolescents have received
insufficient attention and services have been inadequately resourced,” said
former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Board Chair of the Partnership for
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Helen Clark. “We call on all partners to work
together to support governments to strengthen health systems and tackle the
inequities that constrain progress.”
The report calls upon
the global community to fight COVID-19 while honoring and respecting
commitments that can improve the lives of women and children, and not widen the
gap between promise and reality.
“The COVID-19
pandemic threatens to turn back the clock on years of progress in reproductive,
maternal, child and adolescent health. This is unacceptable,” said Muhammad Ali
Pate, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank
Group and Director, Global Financing Facility. “The GFF partnership will double
down on its efforts to engage with partners and countries and honor the global
commitment to ensure that all women, adolescents and children can access the
quality, affordable health care they need to survive and thrive.”
The past decade of
progress to advance the health of women, children and adolescents must be
protected from the impact of the pandemic and the responses to it, the report
says.
“Rapid reversal of
hard-fought progress in women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health is a real
threat,” said Ties Boerma, Director of the Countdown to 2030 for Reproductive,
Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health. “As the intensive tracking of
the COVID-19 pandemic tells us, timely local data are necessary to be able to
target actions and prevent rising inequalities. Global and country investments
in local health information systems are much needed to guide the response and
protect progress.”
Without intensified
efforts to combat preventable child deaths, 48 million children under age 5
could die between 2020 and 2030. Almost half of these deaths will be newborns.
The report advocates
for countries to continue investing in the health of all women, children and
adolescents, in all crises.
"As we respond
to COVID-19 and reimagine a better future, with sustained peace, including at
home, we must repeat unequivocally that the rights of women and girls are not
negotiable. Even in times of crisis – especially in times of crisis – their sexual
and reproductive health and rights must be safeguarded at all costs," said
Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director.
The report argues
that the Every Woman Every Child movement is more critical than ever as we step
into the SDG Decade of Action in the midst of the worst global health crisis of
a generation. The momentum of the movement must continue to champion
multilaterialism, to mobilize action across all sectors to safeguard the
tremendous investments and gains realized by commitments since its launch 10 years
ago, and to protect the health and well-being of every woman, child and
adolescent, everywhere.
"There is no
doubt that the pandemic has set back global efforts to improve the health and
well-being of women and children, but that should only serve to strengthen our
resolve," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Our joint action under the Every Woman Every
Child movement is more important than ever.
We now must renew our commitment to a healthier, safer, fairer and more
sustainable world for women, children and future generations.”