The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in the last 146 sessiony Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Manama, Bahrain.
We know that almost all maternal deaths are preventable, but every two minutes a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth. We know that sexual and reproductive health and rights are central to everyone’s health and well-being, yet 270 million women have an unmet need for contraceptives. “We know that universal health coverage is essential for healthier populations, but nearly two billion people face catastrophic or poor spending on health,” said Dr. Godens Silberschmidt, WHO Director of Health and Multilateral Partnerships, and head of the WHO delegation.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union is a key partner of WHO in mobilizing parliamentary participation to advance health for all.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Workshop on Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE), co-organized by the IPU, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Special Research Program HRP in 146y The association was a strong example of political will in action.
Preparing young people for a safe, healthy and satisfying life
during the 90-minute workshopParliamentarians from 12 countries spoke about the need for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and adapted successful strategies to promote, protect and promote CSE in their countries.
There is a growing consensus among scholars, government, parliament and civil society about the value of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as part of everyone’s right to a broader package of sexual and reproductive health services and information.
As explained by Dr. Venkatraman Chandra Mauli, Scientist in the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and HRP in his technical presentation:
- The term “CSE” does not matter – the language must be adapted to provide age-appropriate, scientifically accurate and culturally relevant information
- There is convincing evidence that well-designed and implemented CSE programs contribute to good sexual and reproductive health and do no harm
- It is essential to reach children and adolescents wherever they are, in and out of school
There is no universal health coverage without sexual and reproductive health and rights
Sexual and reproductive health and rights are central to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) – a priority of the longstanding collaboration between WHO and the IPU.
However, evidence suggests that sexual and reproductive health services are often excluded from countries’ health benefits packages.
At a side event to launch the WHO-IPU Handbook on Universal Health Coverage, Dr. Velochny Govender, Scientist in the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and HRP, spoke about the critical importance of paying attention to both. What And from Being left behind – even in well-functioning health systems that have made significant progress towards universal health coverage.
“People’s participation in governance and accountability for universal health coverage is critical,” she explained. A holistic approach takes more time – but this is how you build trust, sustainability and health systems with everyone at the table. “
WHO has a number of tools to support the integration of sexual and reproductive health into universal health coverage plans, including critical considerations and the Convention on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Learning by sharing portalAnd At school And Out of school Technical guidance on evidence-based approaches to CSE.
Gender inequality affects everyone’s health
Despite progress in many aspects of women’s health and rights, gender inequality persists.
Gender power relations and gender norms influence the vulnerability and exposure of women and men to certain health risks in different ways, but evidence shows that women and girls are disproportionately affected throughout their lives.
Slow progress [on women’s health and rights] It is the result of a lack of political will and action, inadequate financing, restrictive laws and policies, harmful gender norms and limitations of health systems, including inadequate integration of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health into national health benefit packages and the primary health vehicle.e,” Dr Govender said, in the WHO statement at the 35th Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union of Women Parliamentarians Forum.
Speaking about the need to strengthen CSE in the context of sexual and reproductive justice and High Level Committee on Follow-up to the Nairobi Summit on International Conference on Population and Development 25.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union/WHO Workshop on Comprehensive Sexuality Education shows that there is an important interest in this discussion. Members of Parliament spoke about the need to educate not only young people, but everyone involved in this process.
Learn more about WHO’s work with parliamentarians at 146y Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2023/03/11/default-calendar/who-at-the-146th-inter-par-article-union-mobilize