Global Leaders Network

"Sweden's continued support for adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health and rights reflects our values, our international commitments, and our understanding that protecting adolescents' rights today is a prerequisite for health, equity, equality and sustainable development tomorrow. My ask is for more governments to join us, both in having the agency to speak up during these times of pushback against human rights and the right to SRHR." — Hon. Karin Tegmark Wisell, Ambassador for Global Health, Government of Sweden #WHA79 #AdolescentHealth #SRHR

"Adolescence is not a phase of life. It is a hinge point. A transformative, malleable phase. The patterns established in these years of health, of violence, of learning, of agency, set trajectories that last a lifetime and shape the next generation. When we invest in adolescents, we are not just helping individuals, we are reshaping health, the productivity, and the resilience of entire societies. The returns of investments are far too high to ignore." — Rajat Khosla, Executive Director, PMNCH #WHA79 #AdolescentHealth #LivesintheBalance

1.3 billion adolescents make up one-sixth of the world's population. Yet they remain chronically underprioritised in national budgets and global financing flows, and the consequences are stark. Nearly one million adolescents die annually from mostly preventable causes. Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease in people aged 10 to 19. Nearly one in five girls in low and middle income countries gives birth before reaching adulthood, many in the context of child marriage or sexual violence. On the sidelines of the #WHA79 in Geneva, the Global Leaders Network joined #PMNCH, the Government of Sweden, WHO-HRP, Fondation Botnar, World Vision International, UNICEF, SheDecides, and MSI to explore evidence-based solutions to change that. #AdolescentHealth #WCAH #SRHRights #GlobalHealth

1.3 billion adolescents make up one-sixth of the world's population. Yet they remain chronically underprioritised in national budgets and global financing flows, and the consequences are stark. Nearly one million adolescents die annually from mostly preventable causes. Mental health conditions account for 16% of the global burden of disease in people aged 10 to 19. Nearly one in five girls in low and middle income countries gives birth before reaching adulthood, many in the context of child marriage or sexual violence. On the sidelines of the #WHA79 in Geneva, the Global Leaders Network joined #PMNCH, the Government of Sweden, WHO-HRP, Fondation Botnar, World Vision International, UNICEF, SheDecides, and MSI to explore evidence-based solutions to change that. #AdolescentHealth #WCAH #SRHRights #GlobalHealth

As global health systems face mounting financial strain and hard-won gains for women, children and adolescents come under increasing threat, GLN Chair President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez have issued a compelling call for renewed political leadership and global solidarity. Published to mark Spain’s membership in the Global Leaders Network, the op-ed does not shy away from the scale of the challenge. Progress on maternal and child mortality is stalling. Aid cuts are already translating into closed clinics, disrupted services and lives cut short. And when budgets come under pressure, it is women and children who bear the heaviest burden. The leaders call for stronger investment in resilient health systems, protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights, sustainable financing, and renewed political commitment to those most affected by global inequities. Read more: globalleadersnetwork.org/wp-content/upl… #WCAH #SRHR #WomenChildrenAdolescents #HealthSystems #HealthFinancing

"The world cannot afford to fail women, children and adolescents" Read more: aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/…

In his statement on the #Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, emphasised the need to ensure that women, children and adolescents are not left behind. Also speaking as Chair of the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, he called for the protection of routine health services as countries respond to the crisis. Read the full statement: presidency.gov.za/statement-pres…

“On March 1st of this year, we launched 300 Days of Activism in Sierra Leone, where we declared we’ll have zero preventable maternal deaths, zero preventable child deaths, and zero unvaccinated children, with metrics to measure progress on a daily basis in every corner of the country. Today is day 75, and a close look at the numbers shows that we’ve been able to reduce maternal mortality by nearly 65% compared to the same period last year. This is bringing efficiency, effectiveness, application and a results-oriented focus.” – Hon. Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health for the Republic of Sierra Leone #SierraLeone #300Days #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth

“This committee of ministers should leave Geneva with a practical compact for maternal and child survival within Africa's health sovereignty agenda, by first ensuring that maternal, newborn and child health is explicitly reflected in Africa's common position on the reform of the global health architecture. Second, encouraging each Member State to accelerate the implementation of positive national plans for maternal, newborn and child health aligned with the Three Zeros. Third, standardising continental accountability through a maternal and child health scorecard and digital dashboard. Fourth, ensuring that product, data and financial sovereignty translate into tangible realities for women and children through access to life-saving commodities, devices and equipment. And fifth, strengthening mutual learning among Member States.” – H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health #WHA79 #GlobalHealth #HealthReforms

Happening now on the sidelines of #WHA79: The Africa CDC convenes the Meeting of the African High-Level Ministerial Committee (AHLMC) on the Reform of the Global Health Architecture, where African leaders are calling for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health to remain central to health sovereignty and financing reforms. From advancing the “Three Zeros” agenda to strengthening accountability and accelerating country-led action, ministers underscored the need for practical, results-driven approaches to end preventable maternal and child deaths across the continent. #GlobalHealth #HealthSecurity #WCAH #MaternalHealth #ChildHealth

Attending #WHA79? Join us TODAY for “Health Sovereignty, Financing Reform and Protecting What Matters Most: Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health.” The discussion will explore how countries can protect women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (#WCAH), including sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR), within health sovereignty agendas and global health reforms. 🗓️ 17 May 2026 ⏰ 18:00–19:30 CET 📍 Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person + livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today: pmnchweb.typeform.com/LITB8-Finance #WHA79 #GlobalHealth #HealthFinancing #SRHR #WCAH #HealthSovereignty

Adolescents make up 1.3 billion people worldwide, one in every six people on the planet. Investing in their health, rights and well-being is essential to building healthier, more equitable and resilient societies. Join the conversation: Accelerating Action for Adolescent Health and Well-Being in a Changing World, where governments, youth advocates, UN agencies and global partners will unite to drive action, advance evidence-based solutions and strengthen commitments to adolescent health and well-being. 🗓️ 19 May 2026 ⏰ 11:30–14:00 CET 📍 Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person + livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today:pmnch.who.int/news-and-event…

Nearly 1 million adolescents die every year from mostly preventable causes. It’s time to accelerate action for adolescent health and well-being. Join global leaders, youth advocates and partners at #WHA79 for an important dialogue on policy, financing and accountability. 🗓️ 19 May 2026 ⏰ 11:30–14:00 CET 📍 Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person + livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today:pmnch.who.int/news-and-event… #AdolescentHealth #YouthWellbeing #GlobalHealth

Declining aid, shrinking fiscal space & shifting geopolitical priorities are reshaping global health. Join ministers, partners & civil society at #WHA79 for the Lives in the Balance dialogue exploring how countries can protect women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health (#WCAH), including sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR), within financing and health sovereignty reform agendas. 🗓️ 17 May 2026 ⏰ 18:00–19:30 CET 📍 Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person + livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today: pmnchweb.typeform.com/LITB8-Finance #WHA79 #GlobalHealth #HealthFinancing #SRHR #WCAH #HealthSovereignty

Today’s adolescents are navigating a world shaped by conflict, inequality, digital harm, mental health challenges and growing threats to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR). At the same time, funding cuts and global uncertainty risk pushing adolescent health and well-being even further down the political agenda. But the evidence is clear: investing in adolescents delivers lasting benefits for societies, economies and future generations. At #WHA79, governments, youth leaders, UN agencies and global partners will come together to explore solutions, share evidence and strengthen accountability to ensure adolescents are not left behind. 🗓️ 19 May 2026 ⏰ 11:30–14:00 CET 📍 Musée International de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person + livestream (with interpretation)  🔗 Register today:pmnch.who.int/news-and-event… @SweMFA, @UNICEF, @GLN_Community, @HRPresearch, @FondationBotnar, @WorldVision, @SheDecidesGFI, @MSIchoices

Liberia is advancing its 365-Day Neonatal Action Plan to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths through early detection and the timely management of pregnancy-related complications. Under the leadership of H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the government is strengthening access to quality maternal and newborn healthcare through the expansion and deployment of obstetric ultrasound services across the country. Opening the SONAR Ultrasound Validation Workshop yesterday, Dr. Teyah S. Moore, Assistant Minister and Acting Chief Medical Officer at Liberia’s Ministry of Health, said the initiative aims to decentralise ultrasound services and improve pregnancy outcomes nationwide. Read more: tinyurl.com/ykweccyu #WCAH #MaternalHealth #Liberia #365DaysOfAction #GlobalLeadersNetwork

Last week, at the World Health Summit Regional Meeting in Nairobi, the GLN wrapped up its Domestic Resource Mobilisation Webinar Series with a powerful conversation on debt swaps as a financing pathway for women's, children's and adolescents' health. In her opening remarks, Bience Gawanas, Vice-Chair of the Global Fund Board, set the tone for the discussion. "Investing in women, children, and adolescent health is not optional. It is a foundation of Africa's future, the highest social and economic return. When these investments are deferred, the costs are borne by health systems, societies, and economies for decades to come." Watch the full recording: youtu.be/KSW1gBGJ8oI?si… #DebtSwaps #WCAH #HealthFinancing #WHSNairobi2026

Health Sovereignty, Financing Reform and Protecting What Matters Most: Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health As global health financing shifts and development assistance declines, critical decisions are being made about who gets protected and who gets left behind. Across regions, and particularly in Africa, health sovereignty agendas are gaining momentum, with a growing focus on domestic resource mobilisation and stronger national systems. This year’s Lives in the Balance dialogue will bring together governments, partners and global health leaders to address one central question: 👉 Are financing reforms truly protecting what matters most? 🗓️ 17 May 2026 ⏰ 18:00–19:30 CET 📍 Musée international de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge, Geneva 💻 In-person + livestream (with interpretation) 🔗 Register today: pmnch.who.int/news-and-event… @Somalia, @GLN_Community, @UNFPA, @UNICEF, @ChildHealthTF, @PATHadvocacy, @Save_GlobalNews, @WorldVision, @Seed_Global, @MSIchoices

On #InternationalDayOfTheMidwife, we recognise #midwives as essential in advancing the health and survival of women, children, and adolescents. Across communities, they provide critical sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and adolescent health services. Yet, midwives account for less than 10% of the global #SRMNCAH workforce. This year’s theme, #OneMillionMoreMidwives, is both timely and urgent. Universal midwife coverage by 2035 could save an estimated 4.3 million lives every year. Heads of State of the Global Leaders Network for Women's, Children's, and Adolescents' Health remain committed to accelerating progress on maternal, newborn, and adolescent health through stronger investment, political leadership, and integrated midwife-led care. Investing in midwives is investing in stronger health systems and a more equitable future. #IDM2026 #GLN

"Despite significant progress over the last two decades, we know that many African countries remain off track to achieve the sustainable development goals related to maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health by 2030. Persistent inequities both within and between countries highlights the need for more precise data-driven approaches to policy and programme design. The Global Leaders Network aims to support countries in accelerating progress towards these targets while significantly reducing adolescent mortality as well. Central to this effort is the application of dynamic modelling." - Prof Sheetal Silal, Director of the Modelling and Simulation Hub, Africa (MASHA), University of Cape Town #DynamicModelling #WHSNairobi2026 #GLN