📢 As partners finalize advocacy efforts ahead of next week’s #G7 Leaders’ Summit, PMNCH has developed a short advocacy brief highlighting key recommendations to protect and advance investments in women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR). At a time of growing funding constraints, the brief calls on G7 leaders to safeguard financing, defend SRHR, invest in adolescents, and prioritize countries facing the highest burden of maternal and child mortality. We hope this resource supports coordinated advocacy efforts in the lead-up to the Summit. 📄 Read the advocacy brief: pmnch.who.int/news-and-event…

Speaking at the official launch of the national rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable administered every six months for HIV prevention, GLN Chair H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a message of hope for the women and communities most affected by HIV. "To us, Lenacapavir is not just a medicine or a drug; to us it represents a major turning point in South Africa's national story. It represents one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs since the advent of antiretroviral treatment. It represents the triumph of science over despair. It represents the power of innovation to save lives. And above all, it represents hope. Hope for young women who continue to face a disproportionate burden of HIV infection. Hope for families and communities that have lived through decades of loss. Hope for a generation that may one day know HIV not as a threat, but as a chapter in history." In 2024, 45% of new HIV infections occurred among women and adolescent girls worldwide, a stark reminder that removing HIV/AIDS as a public health threat cannot be achieved if women, children and adolescents are left behind. Lenacapavir's rollout is more than a scientific milestone. It is a demonstration that political will, targeted investment, and the protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights are the foundations on which a generation free from HIV can be built. #Lenacapavir #HIV #SouthAfrica #SRHR #WCAH #WomensHealth #HealthForAll

Kenya, under the leadership of President William Ruto, has launched the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026–2028, a nationally led effort to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths through stronger leadership, domestic financing and accountability. As a member of the Global Leaders Network (GLN), Kenya is demonstrating the commitment needed to accelerate progress for women, children and adolescents. Backed by major investments in maternal health services, frontline health workers and essential supplies, the initiative reflects Kenya’s determination to ensure every woman and newborn has access to quality care and a healthier future. Read the full story today. pmnch.who.int/news-and-event… @GovtOfKenya, @GLN_Community, @HennetKenya

Kenya has intensified efforts towards ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths with the launch of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere Acceleration Plan 2026–2028. Unveiled by H.E. President William Samoei Ruto, the plan is backed by KSh7.5 billion in government investment and a commitment to deploy 5,000 nurses and midwives nationwide. To accelerate immediate impact, the government has also launched a six-month Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative running through November 2026. At a time when health systems face mounting pressure and financing is shrinking, Kenya's commitment is a reminder that political will and domestic investment remain the most powerful drivers of real, lasting impact for mothers and newborns. #EWENE #MaternalHealth #NewbornHealth #WCAH #Kenya

On the sidelines of the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Sierra Leone's Minister of Health Dr. Austin Demby shared a remarkable update on the country's 300 Days of Activism initiative. Launched on 1 March 2026 with a national commitment to zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero "zero-dose" children, the initiative had already recorded close to a 60% reduction in maternal and child mortality compared to 2025 data, just 75 days in. Dr. Demby shared that Sierra Leone is driving these results by reviewing every death in real time and acting on the findings immediately. #WHA79 #300DaysOfActivism #SierraLeone #WCAH #MaternalHealth #ZeroPreventableDeaths

On the margins of #WHA79, we convened the second session of our Financial Diplomacy Series in partnership with the Women's Health and Economic Empowerment Network (WHEN), to explore how local manufacturing of diagnostics and essential health commodities can advance progress for women's, children's and adolescents' health. 🎥 Dr. Joaquín Barnoya Pérez, Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance of Guatemala, shares why this conversation matters. #GlobalLeadersNetwork #WCAH #WHA79 #FinancialDiplomacy

"Sweden's continued support for adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health and rights reflects our values, our international commitments, and our understanding that protecting adolescents' rights today is a prerequisite for health, equity, equality and sustainable development tomorrow. My ask is for more governments to join us, both in having the agency to speak up during these times of pushback against human rights and the right to SRHR." — Hon. Karin Tegmark Wisell, Ambassador for Global Health, Government of Sweden #WHA79 #AdolescentHealth #SRHR

"Adolescence is not a phase of life. It is a hinge point. A transformative, malleable phase. The patterns established in these years of health, of violence, of learning, of agency, set trajectories that last a lifetime and shape the next generation. When we invest in adolescents, we are not just helping individuals, we are reshaping health, the productivity, and the resilience of entire societies. The returns of investments are far too high to ignore." — Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, PMNCH #WHA79 #AdolescentHealth #LivesintheBalance

1.3 billion adolescents make up one-sixth of the world's population. Yet they remain chronically underprioritised in national budgets and global financing flows, and the consequences are stark. Nearly one million adolescents die annually from mostly preventable causes. Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease in people aged 10 to 19. Nearly one in five girls in low and middle income countries gives birth before reaching adulthood, many in the context of child marriage or sexual violence. On the sidelines of the #WHA79 in Geneva, the Global Leaders Network joined #PMNCH, the Government of Sweden, WHO-HRP, Fondation Botnar, World Vision International, UNICEF, SheDecides, and MSI to explore evidence-based solutions to change that. #AdolescentHealth #WCAH #SRHRights #GlobalHealth

As global health systems face mounting financial strain and hard-won gains for women, children and adolescents come under increasing threat, GLN Chair President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have issued a compelling call for renewed political leadership and global solidarity. Published to mark Spain’s membership in the Global Leaders Network, the op-ed does not shy away from the scale of the challenge. Progress on maternal and child mortality is stalling. Aid cuts are already translating into closed clinics, disrupted services and lives cut short. And when budgets come under pressure, it is women and children who bear the heaviest burden. The leaders call for stronger investment in resilient health systems, protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights, sustainable financing, and renewed political commitment to those most affected by global inequities. Read more: globalleadersnetwork.org/wp-… #WCAH #SRHR #WomenChildrenAdolescents #HealthSystems #HealthFinancing

"The world cannot afford to fail women, children and adolescents" Read more: aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/…

In his statement on the #Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, emphasised the need to ensure that women, children and adolescents are not left behind. Also speaking as Chair of the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, he called for the protection of routine health services as countries respond to the crisis. Read the full statement: presidency.gov.za/statement-…

“On March 1st of this year, we launched 300 Days of Activism in Sierra Leone, where we declared we’ll have zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero unvaccinated children, with metrics to measure progress on a daily basis in every corner of the country. Today is day 75, and a close look at the numbers shows that we’ve been able to reduce maternal mortality by nearly 65% compared to the same period last year. This is bringing efficiency, effectiveness, application and a results-oriented focus.” – Hon. Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health for the Republic of Sierra Leone #SierraLeone #300Days #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth

“This committee of ministers should leave Geneva with a practical compact for maternal and child survival within Africa's health sovereignty agenda, by first ensuring that maternal, newborn and child health is explicitly reflected in Africa's common position on the reform of the global health architecture. Second, encouraging each Member State to accelerate the implementation of positive national plans for maternal, newborn and child health aligned with the Three Zeros. Third, standardising continental accountability through a maternal and child health scorecard and digital dashboard. Fourth, ensuring that product, data and financial sovereignty translate into tangible realities for women and children through access to life-saving commodities, devices and equipment. And fifth, strengthening mutual learning among Member States.” – H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health #WHA79 #GlobalHealth #HealthReforms

Happening now on the sidelines of #WHA79: The Africa CDC convenes the Meeting of the African High-Level Ministerial Committee (AHLMC) on the Reform of the Global Health Architecture, where African leaders are calling for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health to remain central to health sovereignty and financing reforms. From advancing the “Three Zeros” agenda to strengthening accountability and accelerating country-led action, ministers underscored the need for practical, results-driven approaches to end preventable maternal and child deaths across the continent. #GlobalHealth #HealthSecurity #WCAH #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth

Attending #WHA79? Join us TODAY for “Health Sovereignty, Financing Reform and Protecting What Matters Most: Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health.” The discussion will explore how countries can protect women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (#WCAH), including sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR), within health sovereignty agendas and global health reforms. 🗓️ 17 May 2026 ⏰ 18:00–19:30 CET 📍 Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today: pmnchweb.typeform.com/LITB8-… #WHA79 #GlobalHealth #HealthFinancing #SRHR #WCAH #HealthSovereignty

Adolescents make up 1.3 billion people worldwide, one in every six people on the planet. Investing in their health, rights and well-being is essential to building healthier, more equitable and resilient societies. Join the conversation: Accelerating Action for Adolescent Health and Well-Being in a Changing World, where governments, youth advocates, UN agencies and global partners will unite to drive action, advance evidence-based solutions and strengthen commitments to adolescent health and well-being. 🗓️ 19 May 2026 ⏰ 11:30–14:00 CET 📍 Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today:pmnch.who.int/news-and-event…

Nearly 1 million adolescents die every year from mostly preventable causes. It’s time to accelerate action for adolescent health and well-being. Join global leaders, youth advocates and partners at #WHA79 for an important dialogue on policy, financing and accountability. 🗓️ 19 May 2026 ⏰ 11:30–14:00 CET 📍 Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today:pmnch.who.int/news-and-event… #AdolescentHealth #YouthWellbeing #GlobalHealth

Declining aid, shrinking fiscal space & shifting geopolitical priorities are reshaping global health. Join ministers, partners & civil society at #WHA79 for the Lives in the Balance dialogue exploring how countries can protect women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (#WCAH), including sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR), within financing and health sovereignty reform agendas. 🗓️ 17 May 2026 ⏰ 18:00–19:30 CET 📍 Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today: pmnchweb.typeform.com/LITB8-… #WHA79 #GlobalHealth #HealthFinancing #SRHR #WCAH #HealthSovereignty

Today’s adolescents are navigating a world shaped by conflict, inequality, digital harm, mental health challenges and growing threats to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR). At the same time, funding cuts and global uncertainty risk pushing adolescent health and well-being even further down the political agenda. But the evidence is clear: investing in adolescents delivers lasting benefits for societies, economies and future generations. At #WHA79, governments, youth leaders, UN agencies and global partners will come together to explore solutions, share evidence and strengthen accountability to ensure adolescents are not left behind. 🗓️ 19 May 2026 ⏰ 11:30–14:00 CET 📍 Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person livestream (with interpretation)  🔗 Register today:pmnch.who.int/news-and-event… @SweMFA, @UNICEF, @GLN_Community, @HRPresearch, @FondationBotnar, @WorldVision, @SheDecidesGFI, @MSIchoices