The Global Strategy for Women and Children’s Health (GSWCH) was introduced as an initiative of the UN Secretary-General in 2010 at the time of the 10-year review at a High-level Meeting of the General Assembly.
As stated in the Forward by the Secretary-General of the Global Strategy “it sets out the key areas where action is urgently required to enhance financing, strengthen policy and improve service delivery."
These include:
- Support for country-led health plans, supported by increased, predictable and sustainable investment.
- Integrated delivery of health services and life-saving interventions – so women and their children can access prevention, treatment and care when and where they need it.
- Stronger health systems, with sufficient skilled health workers at their core.
- Innovative approaches to financing, product development and the efficient delivery of health services.
- Improved monitoring and evaluation to ensure the accountability of all actors for results.”
Recognizing what needs to be done in line with the Paris Declaration, the Accra Agenda for Action and the Monterrey Consensus, the following were identified in which all partners should work together:
- Country-led health
- A comprehensive, integrated package of essential interventions and services;
- Integrated care:
- Health systems strengthening;
- Health workforce capacity building; and
- Coordinated research and innovation.
The Global Strategy recognizes that everyone has a role to play in improving the health of the world’s women and children including:
- Governments and policymakers at local, national, regional and global levels:
- Donor countries and global philanthropic institutions;
- United Nations and other multilateral organizations;
- Civil society;
- Business community;
- Healthcare workers and their professional associations;
- Academic and research institutions.
Article originally appeared on NGOs Beyond 2014 (http://ngosbeyond2014.org/).
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