GLN | Recommitting to Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health and Rights: A Call to Action for Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development

24 September 2025 13:15 – 14:30 ET

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The Global Leadership Network (GLN) for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (WCAH) has emerged as a vital platform for galvanizing political will and advancing collective action toward the health and rights of the most vulnerable populations. At a time when global instability is rising, and progress on key health and development indicators is slowing—especially in low- and middle-income countries—the GLN plays an essential role in sustaining momentum, coordination, and accountability at the highest political levels. 

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) represents a powerful opportunity for global advocacy, agenda setting, and cross-sectoral engagement. In this context, the 2024 GLN Heads of State side event at UNGA demonstrated the impact of high-level political commitment. It elevated WCAH on the global agenda, reflected the commitment of pioneering leaders on central issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights and reaffirmed the centrality of WCAH in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Yet, one year later, the global community faces increasingly constrained progress on WCAH due to compounding crises—from conflict and displacement to climate emergencies and economic shocks. The current geopolitical environment has further limited the space for multilateral cooperation and diverted resources from long-term development goals. In particular in humanitarian settings, women, children, and adolescents are experiencing profound vulnerability, with persistent threats to their safety, health, and human rights. In 2023 alone, the United Nations recorded 33,443 civilian deaths in armed conflicts. Among these, women accounted for four out of every ten fatalities, while children made up three out of ten.  25 countries identified in the 2024 UN Humanitarian Appeal account for 58% of global maternal deaths, 38% of newborn deaths, and 36% of stillbirths.  These trends signal a need for urgent recommitment and a reframing of how the global community responds.

 

Purpose of the Event 

The third Heads of State gathering of the GLN at the 2025 UNGA seeks to renew political momentum and elevate WCAH as a foundation for peace, security, and sustainable development. It will serve as a strategic moment to: 

  1. Recommit to WCAH as a core priority in global and national development agendas;
  2. Issue a renewed call for bold and measurable political and financial commitments by all countries, including through integrated, gender-responsive, and equity-based approaches;
  3. Reflect on the specific needs of women, children, and adolescents in humanitarian and fragile contexts and their relevance to peace and security agendas heading into 2026;
  4. Explore innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to ensure adequate investment in WCAH, particularly in contexts of crisis and recovery;
  5. Begin institutionalizing a model for sustained, head-of-state-level engagement and accountability for WCAH. 

The event will be livestreamed on Wednesday, 24 September from 13:15 - 14:30 New York.Join UN Web TV to participate virtually.