G8 summit June 25-27, 2010
A call for a doubling of resources at the G8 summit in Canada, June 25-27
The welcome endorsement by the G8 of a global consensus on maternal, newborn, and child health at the L'Aquila Summit in 2009 committed all G8 Governments to take action to save the lives of vulnerable women and children. Under Canadian leadership, the G8 in 2010 must collectively support this commitment with new resources for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health including reproductive health. This commitment must include access to integrated and cost-effective interventions, which have been proved to save lives. The G8 must also put its leadership squarely behind the UN Secretary General and make an ambitious contribution to a concrete plan of action to accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, which remains off-track, and MDG 5, which has made the least progress of all the goals.
AMREF has co-signed this open letter to the G8 leaders asking for a doubling of resources for maternal, newborn, and child health. Click here to read the full letter.
AMREF staff participated in the Women Deliver Conference June 7-9 to set goals for better health for women.
Women Deliver urges us to Invest in Women – It Pays.
Here is what you can do.
June 25-27th, G8 and G20 leaders will meet to discuss how to best spend international aid in order to meet development goals. We know the answer: Women are at the heart of the MDGs, and investing in women pays. Make your voice heard! Here are four action steps you can take:
JOIN FORCES WITH WOMEN DELIVER'S CALL TO ACTION Join forces with Women Deliver by downloading our letter to the leaders of the G8 and sending it, or even better handing it, to your government leaders.
SIGN YOUR NAME TO THE ONE CAMPAIGN Each year, between 350,000 and 500,000 women die in pregnancy and childbirth, 3.6 million children die within their first month of life and 5.2 million more die before they reach 5 years of age. By filling in the gap of healthcare workers worldwide, we can save the lives of women, newborns and children. Let the G8 know that you support the ONE Campaign's call for an additional 3.5 million healthcare workers to be trained by 2015. Sign your name here.
URGE THE G8 LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE MDG5 Join the International Confederation of Midwives, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the International Council of Nurses, the International Pediatricians Association and the White Ribbon Alliance in urging the G8 that the time is now to prioritize MDG5. Read the letter here, and send it on to your friends and colleagues.
TEAM UP WITH GLOBAL HEALTH ADVOCATES Team up with global health advocates from around the world, including Ai Tominaga, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Claudia Winkleman, Celine Dion, Davina McCall, Diana Quick, Jarvis Church, Jermain Jenas, Dame Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley, Jully Black, June Sarpong, Kirstie Allsopp, Kristin Davis, Liya Kebede, Livia Firth, Margaret MacMillan, Mariella Frostrop, Mena Suvari, Minnie Driver, Maureen McTeer, Naomi Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Scarlett Johansson, and Wendi Murdoch in calling the G8 to action. Read the letter and help spread the word.
