UN Finally Includes Universal Access to RH as new MDG Target

Landmark for campaigners

On 4th October, the UN General Assembly discussed and adopted the Secretary General’s annual report. Importantly, the report recommended incorporation of commitments made at the 2005 World Summit on a set of targets to achieve the MDGs, including a new target under Goal 5; to achieve universal access to reproductive health (RH) by 2015.

Success of global advocacy

The new target places universal access at the core of RH to improve maternal health and reduce poverty under the MDGs.

Both UNFPA and IPPF hailed the announcement, pointing to the ceaseless efforts of the global health community to have RH targets included in the MDGs.

Speaking for IPPF, Dr. Gill Greer, Director General, said, “Sexual and reproductive health is one of the most important aspects of health policy in general and is crucially important in the reduction of global poverty.…the UN General Assembly has made a decision that will save the lives and reduce the suffering of millions of women worldwide, especially the poorest women in the poorest countries, who bear a disproportionate level of maternal death and ill health.

“500,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth every year, the vast majority of whom live in the poorest countries on the planet; the lifetime risk of dying from complications in pregnancy or childbirth in Africa is a staggering 1 in 20…

“If this global catastrophe is to be halted, the international community must act now to provide the political will and funding they promised for reproductive health over a decade ago in Cairo. Presently they are missing the mark by 50 per cent.”