Post - 2015: Desired Outcomes
19 - 21 November 2014
United Nations Office at Geneva
Palais des Nations, 1211 Genève, Switzerland
As the world and its economies become increasingly globalized, it is necessary to think about health in a global context. While there are talks about sustainable development for women’s health, little is mentioned about women’s health for sustainable development. Other than reproductive medicine, the subject of women’s health has not been presented or discussed as fully as possible around the world. As a result, there is insufficient knowledge within academia as well as at healthcare, public- and policy-maker levels on sex- and gender-based disparities, climate change and changing patterns of diseases, and increased conflicts and migration in the prevalence, progression and outcome of numerous diseases and conditions, including non-communicable diseases and mental illnesses. This lack of knowledge not only affects women but also men and the whole of society.
Despite some progress made in women’s health in the last decade, for millions of women and girls throughout the world, the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including access to medicines, vaccines, commodities, equipment, other supplies, comprehensive primary healthcare services, health promotion and disease prevention, still remains a distant goal. In many instances, especially for those living in poverty and populations in vulnerable or marginalised situations, this goal is becoming increasingly remote.
There is an urgent need to promote new thinking on the mechanisms that support innovation in women’s health programs. Further, it is essential to recognise the importance and need of science and technology for development and the critical role of science, technology and innovation in addressing global challenges and in realising sustainable development to enhance health, and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.
The World Women’s Health and Development Forum, organised by the Royal Academy of
Science International Trust (RASIT), aims to advance the health, wealth and empowerment of women in all of their diverse communities. The Forum is the first international step towards a collaborative approach to women’s health and wellbeing.
The Forum, dedicated to “Post-2015 Desired Outcomes,” will identify the main challenges facing countries in developing and enhancing women’s health. It will reflect practices, information-sharing mechanisms and concrete actions for the health and development of women and girls, taking into consideration different needs of different societies and cultures. The Forum also will consider initiatives at regional and international levels to increase cooperation and coordination. This three-day High Level Forum is an occasion for world leaders, United Nations system entities, scientists, healthcare professionals, and members of civil society, the media and the private sector to discuss ways to develop and promote sustainably the health of women and girls. Special focus will be on desired outcomes of women’s health and development in the Post-2015 Agenda for implementation. A Forum Declaration, designed to frame an ambitious “Global Action Agenda
for Women’s Health,” shall be produced.
The Forum is structured around three pillars:
• Health Economics
Promoting change through leadership development, economic empowerment, education and policy development.
• Health Disparities
Addressing sex- and gender-based health disparities among diverse populations of women by reducing leading causes of illness, impairments, and the premature death of women globally.
• Health Systems and Innovation
Directing women’s healthcare policy development through innovative programme models and promoting women’s health and sustainable development globally.
Purpose
The Forum will take place at a critical time in the Post-2015 process. As the international community strives to achieve the Millennium Development Goals while formulating the Post-2015 Development Agenda including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 2015 is recognised to be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for transformational change, with the potential to shape the future of our peoples and our planet for the better.
Yet, beyond global policy-makers and advocacy groups, most citizens are not fully aware of the contours and importance of this new Sustainable Development Agenda.
The purpose of this Forum is to harness the strategies, expertise and resources across the broadest spectrum of policy-makers, professionals, civil society and the private sector to move women’s health for sustainable development into the mainstream discourse, and spark sustained public demand for lasting political action in support of an ambitious outcome from the Post-2015 Sustainable Development process.
The Forum Planning Committee has made every effort to ensure that perspectives from north/south, gender, youth, older persons, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, global geographic areas, expert constituencies, and international networks are included.
Participants
Civil society members representing diverse constituencies from science, healthcare, academia, industry and other stakeholders’ communities will be actively identified to participate in the first World Women’s Health and Development Forum.
The venue of the United Nations Office at Geneva provides a unique opportunity to engage world leaders, UN officials, policy-makers, scientists, educators, businesses, parliamentarians and others from around the world.
Conclusion
Since the Millennium Summit in 2000, the United Nations, governments, civil society and other stakeholders have been engaged in an historic enterprise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and are now defining a new Sustainable Development Agenda for 2015–2030.
The year 2015 holds the promise of being the point of transition to a bold, new generation of
people-centred and planet-sensitive development and the beginning of a strong movement for transformational change. Constituencies working on climate change, sustainable development, effective development cooperation, environment, economic justice, human rights and gender equality must come together to strengthen and create new goals if we are to achieve an historic, new social contract that reflects a strong and radical narrative of hope and transformation.
The World Women’s Health and Development Forum is an opportunity to bring together the vast diversity of United Nations, governments, civil society representation, constituencies and campaigns during the 69th Session of the General Assembly, when critical decisions will be made by governments about advancing the Sustainable Development Agenda.
The Forum shall provide an inclusive space for the expression of a diversity of views, with a focus on ensuring that marginalised voices are heard. It is an opportunity for scientific and healthcare professionals as well as civil society to come together to support the Post-2015 negotiations, and contribute to a successful Post-2015 Agenda and its implementation, including through informed and constructive dissenting opinions.
A Forum Declaration that defines an ambitious, inspiring and concrete “Action Agenda” on women’s health and sustainable development shall be produced building upon and advancing a global movement comprised of diverse mobilisation campaigns, advocacy strategies, partnerships and accountability frameworks. This Declaration will be widely shared with UN system, Member-States, global civil society and other stakeholders.
Извор: WUNRN – 10.10.2014
