Mobilising support to sustain political will is the key to progress in reproductive health

Abstract

In May 2004 the 57th World Health Assembly endorsed WHO’s first strategy to accelerate progress toward reproductive health. All countries except the USA joined the consensus on the strategy noting that achieving reproductive health for all is essential to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The strategy recommends action in five key areas: strengthening health-system capacity; improving information for setting priorities; mobilising political will; creating supportive legislative and regulatory frameworks; and strengthening monitoring evaluation and accountability. Although action on all five fronts is needed we believe mobilising political will including organising broad constituencies to support agendas for action and to hold governments accountable is the prerequisite for success in the other four areas. (excerpt)