Call to Action to provide stronger leadership in reproductive health commodity security.

 Sierra Leone’s Health Minister Zainab Bangura played a leading role

UNITED NATIONS, New York—Fifty participants from 12 developing countries agreed last week on a Call to Action that urges national governments, civil society and the private sector to provide stronger leadership in reproductive health commodity security. To achieve that, participants at a two-day high-level meeting held at the United Nations urged these governments and national stakeholders to reinforce existing political and financial commitments for reproductive health commodity security, invest in stronger supply chain management systems for reproductive health commodities, and ensure expanded and equitable access to services.

“We recognize that reproductive health commodity security (RHCS), with its strong family planning focus, provides a powerful platform for governments to align efforts according to national priorities and to accelerate the reduction of unmet need for family planning and so allow women, men and young people throughout the world to exercise their right to reproductive health,” stated the Call to Action.

Participants at the meeting, including first ladies, parliamentarians and ministers, presented their statement to the UNFPA Executive Board yesterday. They also shared examples of initiatives in their countries, which are the focus of the UNFPA Global Programme to Enhance Reproductive Health Commodity Security. More than $300 million has been mobilized since the programme’s launch in 2007. The aim is to achieve a steady and reliable supply of life-saving reproductive and maternal health medicines and equipment. More than 215 million women in developing countries want to avoid or space pregnancies, but are not using modern methods of family planning.

The Call to Action highlighted the participants’ concern that “despite progress, disparities persist in access to sexual and reproductive health information, services and essential supplies, and that the poor and other vulnerable groups, including young people, continue to be underserved and suffer high unmet need.”

It also included their affirmation that “comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, including voluntary family planning, ensured by a secure supply of reproductive health commodities, is a national priority for saving women’s lives, improving maternal health and preventing HIV.”

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