(June 04, 2019) –
MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Today,
the Government of Canada announced a $1.4-billion investment over ten years, beginning in 2023, to women and children’s health and rights at the “Women Deliver” conference in Vancouver, BC. This pledge will enable women, adolescents and children to realize their right to healthy and empowered futures and equips them to be valued agents of change in their communities, according to World Vision, Canada’s largest international humanitarian, development and advocacy organization.
“We know that sustainable progress can only take place when women and men have equal power and resources to shape their own lives and contribute to their families and communities. We are delighted by this commitment to the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and children and to advancing gender equality,” says Michael Messenger, President and CEO of World Vision Canada.
“This investment demonstrates bold Canadian leadership in areas of crucial need. We’re particularly pleased by the unprecedented ten-year time frame. We know from experience that given time for sustainable planning, we can support stronger rights and more accessible health services that help ensure healthier and more resilient communities.”
Importance of investing in sexual and reproductive health and rights:
• Modern contraception can reduce maternal death by 73%. (Women Deliver)
• Every day, approximately 830 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, 99% of them in developing countries. (UN)
• Globally, complications due to pregnancy are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19. These girls are twice as likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth as those aged 20 or more. (WHO)
Photo Caption: Mahlet, a midwife who works in a rural Ethiopian clinic, teaches women about healthy pregnancy and birth spacing through the Born on Time program, funded by Global Affairs Canada and Johnson & Johnson. Photo: Paul Bettings/Born on Time.