GENEVA ¦ 20 May 2014 -- Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata, First Lady of Zambia (WHO
Goodwill Ambassador against gender-based violence) and Melinda Gates, co-Chair
of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation addressed delegates at the World
Health Assembly this afternoon.
Dr Kaseba-Sata deplored the prevalence of violence against women
and girls and the extent to which cases of violence remain hidden and
unrecognized. A former gynaecologist, she noted the lasting damage such
violence can inflict on mental and physical health: "Almost all gender-based
violence victims fall on the doorstep of the health sector."
She stressed that the health sector has a responsibility to
address the causes and consequences of violence. She called on delegates
to ensure that everyone affected by violence has timely, effective and
affordable access to all the health services they require, and that those
services are free of abuse, disrespect, and discrimination.
Ms Gates then highlighted ways to improve the health of mothers and
newborn babies, emphasizing the value of linking efforts to improve
reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health — "the continuum of care".
She pointed out that: "If women can plan their families, they are more
likely to space their pregnancies. If they space their pregnancies, they are
more likely to have healthy babies. If women's babies are healthy, they are
more likely to flourish as children. When mothers have healthy pregnancies, and
when children thrive, the positive benefits last a lifetime."
She also called on delegates to pay more attention to newborn babies.
Although there has been remarkable global progress in reducing the number of
children dying before their fifth birthdays, neonatal mortality rates have
declined at a slower pace.
The Health Assembly will
discuss a new action plan for newborns later this week.
