Doing Better With Less: Rethinking the Approach to Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health

18 May 2025 18:00 – 20:00 CET
Av. de la Paix 12, Geneva, Switzerland

Co-hosts: PMNCH, Government of South Africa  

Supported by: PATH, The Global Financing Facility, African Union, Gates Foundation, World Health Organization, UNFPA, UNICEF, AlignMNH, EWENE, Africa CDC, Global Leaders Network, Child Survival Action initiative

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Global efforts over the past two decades have driven significant progress in improving the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents. The launch of the Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016–2030) under the Every Woman Every Child movement aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and helped unify governments, civil society, and development partners around a shared vision. However, recent global crises — including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, conflicts, and economic instability — have posed serious setbacks. Further, shifts in development financing, multilateralism, and an active anti-rights movement further threaten gains and risk reversing progress towards the achievement of the SDGs. The need to assess progress, address persistent inequities, and accelerate action has never been more urgent. 

As we approach the five-year mark to the 2030 deadline, this high-level dialogue aims to take stock of the achievements and gaps in health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents, and chart a renewed path forward with bold ideas, innovative partnerships, and transformative solutions. 

 

Objectives 

  1. Present up-to-date evidence and data on progress and gaps in women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health. 

  2. Provide a platform for Ministers of Health and Global Development other senior leaders to share experiences, challenges, and lessons learned. 

  3. Identify priority areas for investment and policy action to accelerate progress towards 2030 targets. 

  4. Foster alignment and commitment across countries and partners to drive multisectoral approaches for health and well-being. 

  5. Highlight innovations and best practices that have delivered results at scale and could be replicated or adapted. 

Agenda

Moderated by: Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, PMNCH 

18.00-18.05 

Welcome remarks, Helen Clark, Board Chair, PMNCH 

 

18.05-18.25 

Opening remarks, Scene setting: Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health in a Changing World: Dr Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Life Course, WHO 

 

Keynote address: Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health South Africa 

 

  • Presentation: UN agency representative – EWENE: Ms. Julia Bunting, Director, Programme Division, UNFPA on behalf of EWENE & CSA  

 

18.25-18.30 

Lived reality intervention 

18.30-18.55 

High level panel: Where do we go from here? Key recommendations for unlocking progress  

 

Moderated by: Yasmin Ali Haque, Director of Health, UNICEF  

  • Hon Dr. Louise Kpoto, Minister of Health, Libera  

  • H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General, Africa CDC 

  • Dr. Issak Bashir, Head Directorate of Family Health, Ministry of Health, Kenya 

  • Ms Emily Chirwa, Deputy Director of Planning and Policy, Ministry of Health, Malawi 

  • Dr Kamil Shoretire, Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria 

  • Hon Dr. Ibrahima Sy, Minister of Health and Social Action, Senegal  

 

18.55-19.00 

Lived reality intervention 

 

19.00-19.25 

Partner panel: A focus on practical solutions – Identifying a new partnership model to advance WCAH  

 

Moderated by: Ms Kathleen Sherwin, Chief of Strategy & Engagement, Plan International 

  • Ms Saba Husain, Senior Director, Global Health Partnerships, Eli Lilly and Company 

  • Dr. Sanjana Bhardwaj, Deputy Director, Program Advocacy and Communications, Gates Foundation  

  • Ms. Usha Viswanathen, Director of Programme, Health and Wellbeing, Temasek Foundation 

  • Dr Pascale Allotey, Director, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO / UN’s Special Research Programme in Human Reproduction (HRP) 

  • Mr Bernard Aryeetey, Senior Director, Policy, Advocacy and Influence, PATH  

19.25-19.30 

Closing remarks, Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, PMNCH 

 

 

 

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