The urgency is palpable...

September 2024

MESSAGE FROM DEBORA B. FREITAS LóPEZ

The “Pact for the Future,” endorsed this week by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), challenges world leaders and other key actors to act quickly to turn words into action that make a difference in the lives of the world’s billions of residents.

Here in New York, where I am attending several UNGA events, the urgency is palpable. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has spoken of a “surge in misogyny” that prevents women and girls from “fulfilling their potential in every sphere” and the importance of including young people in the decisions that will shape their lives.

I am struck by how much we have learned in recent years from repeated global health disease outbreaks – the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, COVID-19 pandemic, and now a new peril from a deadlier mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We also have a long way to go to strengthen our health systems in the face of continued uncertainty.

These global crises have brought with them a cold hard reality: Scientific advancements alone are not enough to effectively manage and mitigate health disasters. Public trust, awareness, and community engagement are equally vital.

That is where social and behavior change (SBC) and knowledge management (KM) will continue to play a critical role. They are indispensable for strengthening global health security, as they enhance the capacity to respond effectively to emerging health threats by ensuring communities are well-informed, engaged, and empowered to adopt behaviors that improve health and well-being. But even more importantly, these approaches put all people – women, men, boys, and girls – at the center of the work.

We are doing this right now in DRC – at the heart of the new mpox outbreak. With our partners, decision-makers, and other key actors, we have been called on in this moment to educate about mpox symptoms and encourage behaviors, such as immediately reporting any symptoms, by creating targeted risk communication and culturally appropriate health messaging. We are on standby to help people understand the power of vaccination as a vaccine campaign is set to start there next month.

I hope you will all join me in advocating for people-centered SBC and KM approaches to tackle current – and future – public health threats.

?? REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

CCP Awarded New Work on $100 Million Global Sexual Health Project

The WISH 2 project, led by IPPF, will bring inclusive sexual and reproductive health services to hard-to-reach populations in seven nations. Read more ?

?? SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE

The Price is Right for Health Care in DRC

A fun activity developed by the CCP-led Breakthrough ACTION project helps couples understand that health care costs are not as prohibitive as they seem, while encouraging people to seek services. Read more ?

??? MISINFORMATION

Quashing Rumors to Save Lives in Nigeria

When rumors surfaced about Nigerians dying of a mysterious illness after crossing the local river, CCP training alleviated fears, and helped people to seek health care again on the other shore. Read more ?

?? GENDER EQUITY

Women Need to ‘Band Together’ to Ensure Representation in Global Health

"Despite historical underrepresentation and ongoing gender inequity and discrimination, women in leadership roles offer unique advantages to organizations," writes CCP Gender Advisor Esete Getachew. Read more ?

?? MENSTRUAL HEALTH

Bringing Supplies, Not Just Information, to Counter Period Stigma in Schools

This week and last, the CCP-led Breakthrough ACTION project is delivering sanitary pads to 77,000 adolescent girls in Liberia. Read more ?

?? INCLUSIVE COMMUNICATION

No One is Safe Until Everyone is Safe

The CCP-led Breakthrough ACTION project is working in Mali and the DRC to ensure people with disabilities can receive key, life-saving information in an emergency. Read more ?

?? MPOX

With Mpox Surging in DRC, CCP Rolls out Campaign

A new, more infectious strain of mpox is infecting 1,000 people in DRC a week. CCP is hoping to help slow the spread. Read more ?