Annual report 2022

2022 was about resilience and the determination of the PMNCH community in the face of unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts, and climate change have all had a devastating impact on the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents (WCA) around the world, jeopardizing decades of progress in women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health (WCAH). In addition, the repeal of Roe vs. Wade and unaddressed needs related to adolescent health and well-being continue to threaten progress towards gender equity and the future of young people. 

As we work to tackle these challenges, the world needs PMNCH more than ever. We are redoubling our efforts to share evidence and arguments about why urgent action must be taken to close gaps in WCAH. We are working hand in hand with high-level champions, grassroots leaders, professional groups and the media to increase visibility for these gaps. And, most importantly, we are proposing solutions for what can be done to support governments and citizens in driving these changes.

More and more partners are joining this effort. During 2021-2022, PMNCH’s membership increased by 39%, to a current total of nearly 1400 organizations. We continued to establish a more efficient and transparent governance structure. This has simplified and streamlined our efforts, enabling our partners to work more effectively together, and increased transparency about our processes, strategies and results.

Looking back on 2022, one of our most significant accomplishments was the development of a new strategy for increasing national advocacy and accountability for commitments to WCA. This strategy will support the leadership of partners in a prioritized set of countries (30 countries by 2025) in developing joint advocacy action plans, drawing on regional and global tools, platforms and resources. These efforts will be supported by PMNCH through the creation of:

• country-based Digital Advocacy Hubs, enabling all partners – including youth groups, NGOs, the private sector and health professionals – to meet, plan and share experiences and knowledge in real-time;
• a first-ever digital compendium of existing commitments on WCAH to help partners target their advocacy efforts, including in areas where too few commitments exist, such as adolescent well-being (AWB); and
• a new Accountability Portal to be hosted on www.pmnch.org, with a continually updated set of carefully curated resources (including country data, profiles, reports and dashboards) to support country partners in their advocacy and accountability efforts.

In 2022, we also had the privilege of announcing the launch of the Global Leaders Network, which will include 10 heads of state and government, with H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa serving as chair. This network will play a vital role in shaping policies and investments that protect and promote the health and well-being of WCA. We look forward to their leadership and are excited about the powerful collaboration that will result from this initiative in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As we move forward, we remain committed to our mission and our exciting initiatives this year. PMNCH and partners have once again come together to develop a "decade" edition of Born Too Soon, which with new data, evidence and country learnings provides a clear pathway for action on pre-term birth, the number one cause of death of children under five around the world. Our focus on the under-served adolescent and youth population, amplified by the 1.8 Billion Young People for Change campaign, builds as we move towards the Global Forum for Adolescents in October of this year. A series of national events and a two-day virtual global programme will bring together partners from around the world to share evidence, spark multi-sectoral action and promote political and financial commitments for adolescent well-being.

I want to thank all our partners for your unwavering support and commitment to our cause. Together, we are stronger and more powerful than ever!