Global Network for Women & Children's Health launched by IPU

• The 151st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva witnessed the inauguration of the Parliamentary Network of Champions
• The project aims to enhance the well-being, rights, and health of women, children, and young people across the globe

At the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, the Parliamentary Network of Champions was launched as a new initiative that is committed to advancing the health, rights and well-being of women, children, and adolescents around the world.

The launch was delivered by Thokozile Didiza, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, on behalf of a coalition of parliamentary leaders.

With encouragement from the IPU and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH)—the global partnership for the world's largest coalition on women's, children's and adolescents' health

The Network is committed to harnessing the power of parliaments to turn commitments into action to drive the health, rights and well-being of women, children and adolescents from surviving to thriving.

The Parliamentary Network is seeking to advance rights-based legislation to achieve universal access to quality health services—which includes sexual and reproductive health. Promote equitable and effective health financing for the health of children, adolescents and women.

Enhance parliaments' and governments' collaboration and accountability to produce measurable results. Incorporate health equity into legislatures' agendas in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Thokozile underscored the significance of this effort, remarking that it will assist in ensuring women, children, and adolescents' voices are heard in national agendas, and cooperation and accountability are increased for better health outcomes for generations to come.

El Malick Ndiaye, National Assembly President of Senegal, emphasized the social and ethical value of investing in health, and that safeguarding the health of women, children, and adolescents is critical for long-term development.

The new Parliamentary Network complements the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (GLN), which is chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

With the GLN, the Parliamentary Network represents global executive and legislative leadership that is a historic commitment to accelerate progress towards the 2030 SDGs, and decrease preventable maternal, newborn, and child mortality.

This initiative reinforces the principle that political leadership and collective action are critical for advancing health equity and achieving a more just and healthier future for all.