Equity in the era of COVID-19 and the SDGs: Improving Accountability for the Health and Rights of Vulnerable Women, Children and Adolescents .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform

Equity in the era of COVID-19 and the SDGs: Improving Accountability for the Health and Rights of Vulnerable Women, Children and Adolescents

Tuesday, 13 July 2021

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Virtual (NY Time)

Side Event

The Permanent Mission of Estonia to the UN, co-hosted by the Government of Estonia and co-organized by PMNCH, UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO and UHC2030

This high-level event will take stock of the current status and trends in achieving greater health and rights for women, children, and adolescents in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. The disruption caused by the pandemic has now halted or reversed progress made in recent decades. In particular, vulnerable women, children, and adolescents bear the brunt of a “shadow pandemic”, due to restricted access to essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services, along with rising violence, household income loss, school closures, mental health issues and other socioeconomic burdens. Consequently, decades of progress in improving health and rights, and building inclusive and prosperous societies, are under threat. Champions, governments and citizens will discuss practical solutions to mobilize action, enhance equity and improve accountability in the context of current COVID-19 country response and recovery plans. Updated evidence will be presented at the event from the Every Woman Every Child “Protect the Progress” report, guided by the UN Secretary-General’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016-2030).

Confirmed speakers include

H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy-Secretary-General;

H.E. Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia and newly appointed UN Secretary-General's Global Advocate for Every Woman Every Child;

Børge Brende, World Economic Forum President

H.E. Dame Barbara Woodward, Permanent Representative of the UK to the United Nations

H.E. Kimihiro Ishikane, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

Gabriela Cuevas Barron, Co-Chair, UHC 2030 Steering Committee

Josiah Tualamali'i, Co-founder, Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Council, young Samoan New Zealander

The Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Administrator of UNDP and current Chair of PMNCH, will convene the discussion.

Opening the event, we will have a special performance from spoken-word poet Mumbi Macharia.

The event is moderated by Maziko Matemvu, Vice President Young Feminists Network, Malawi and PMNCH Vice Chair, Partner Engagement, Adolescents & Youth Constituency

Traducción en español disponible

Interprétation en français disponible

More information on the event and other available resources can be found here

Watch the event: