Devex: Opinion: 4 priorities on women’s health for new WHO chief Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus
Shannon Kowalski, director of advocacy and policy at the International Women’s Health Coalition

“…As next director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros [Adhanom Ghebreyesus] will take the helm as countries such as the United States are stepping up their efforts to roll back progress on women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. … Here are four priorities for women and girls that should be at the top of Tedros’ agenda. 1. Support countries to expand access to safe, legal abortion … 2. Recognize and respond to the Zika virus as the emergency for women that it still is … 3. Be a champion for adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights … 4. Ensure that universal health coverage does not leave women and girls behind … For women and girls, a WHO director general who prioritizes their health and human rights, allocates the necessary resources to address them, and is a vocal champion on their behalf can make all the difference to their ability to survive and thrive. We call on the new director general to step up to the challenge and put women and girls at the center of the WHO’s agenda” (5/23).