UN chief urges strengthened partnership to end preventable deaths of women, children

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said preventable deaths of women and children could be ended "within a generation" through continued political commitment, an increase in innovative financing and strong partnership.

At a high-level event here on Every Woman Every Child, a global movement that mobilizes action to address the major health challenges facing women and children, Ban said that this young partnership has already developed "real momentum."

"Because of our collective endeavor, more women and children are surviving than ever before. Since 2010 alone, the world has saved the lives of some 2.4 million women and children," he said.

A report released Tuesday shows that under the partnership, remarkable progress had been made in the 49 countries targeted, on preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission, and of increasing availability of oral rehydration therapy for treating infant diarrhoea, of exclusive breastfeeding and of post-natal care for women.

Progress was made possible by an unprecedented level of resources mobilized for women and children's health with close to 60 billion U.S. dollars committed by the partners of the global movement, nearly two-thirds of which has already been disbursed, according to the report.

During his remarks, the UN chief said that more than 300 organizations, from governments to civil society, academic groups and the private sector, have made over 400 specific commitments to advance the health and well-being of women and children.

"Central to this work has been a focus on innovation, including in financing, and accountability for resources and results," Ban stressed.

"Through continued political commitment, an increase in innovative financing and strong partnership we can realistically end the preventable deaths of women and children within a generation wherever they live," he said. Endite