Moving Priorities Forward at the IPU 143rd Assembly

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of participating in the 143rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments and a long-time member of PMNCH. Twice a year, they convene more than 1,500 parliamentary delegates and partners in a World Assembly, bringing a Parliamentary dimension to global governance, including the work of the United Nations and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

It was a productive and stimulating event that provided an ideal platform to discuss the priorities of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and emphasize that strategic leadership is required at the political level, in addition to partnership, joint advocacy and the empowerment of communities for advancing women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health in the IPU 2022-2026 strategy. The strategy identifies policy priorities for the next five years: action on climate change; democracy, human rights, and gender equality; peace and security; and sustainable development.

Given PMNCH’s increased focus on the health effects of climate change, I was pleased to attend a very useful Knowledge Exchange on the science of the climate emergency, negotiations, best practices and the translation of international commitments to national action plans. Parliamentarians play an important role in recognizing climate change as a global health crisis and prioritizing the most vulnerable women, children, and adolescents in responses. Much work remains to be done, starting with encouraging youth participation as agents of change within Parliamentary groups, to ensure decision-making is as inclusive and representative as possible with those most affected.

Gender equality within Parliaments is also a serious concern.?Women account for only 25.6% of Parliamentarians worldwide and continue to face major obstacles. A new study , released by the IPU and the African Parliamentary Union (APU) at the Assembly, reveals how sexism, harassment and violence are perpetrated against women in the Parliamentary world, excluding them from political life.

Special thanks to the IPU for ongoing collaboration with PMNCH to prioritize women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic .

?

?

?