The following opinion pieces discuss the importance of addressing women’s health, including maternal health, family planning and reproductive health, and ensuring women’s health issues are reflected in development goals moving forward.

Huffington Post: Which Way to Better Health: A Roadmap to Save Mothers and Newborns
Liya Kebede, founder of the Liya Kebede Foundation, and Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children

“…This week, as world leaders gather in New York for the opening of the U.N. General Assembly where they will discuss a new set of development targets for a post-MDG world, we will be encouraging them to stay focused and committed on actions to improve maternal and newborn health. … The success around child survival in Ethiopia as well as countries like Malawi, Nepal, and Bangladesh proves that the Millennium Development Goals can work if we commit to putting the health of our mothers and children first. With less than 500 days left, we can be hopeful that together, we will save the lives of millions of mothers and their children” (9/23).

Huffington Post: Canada Is Poised to Lead Real Global Change on Child and Maternal Mortality
Rosemary McCarney, president and CEO of Plan International Canada Inc.

“…When Prime Minister Harper steps up to the podium at the General Assembly, it’s Canada’s opportunity to lead a full-court press on other nations to follow its example in generous, ongoing funding to solve a problem that is soluble. I hope his message is a rallying cry to other nations that also underscores a sustained commitment from Canada to get the job done. Finally, I hope that message inspires Canadians at home to continue to support the fight to save and protect the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people. Amidst staggering political and humanitarian crises, there are now 17 development goals for global leaders to tackle in the post-2015 agenda. At this U.N. General Assembly, Canada can ensure we don’t lose ground on goals we’ve already started and can meet in this lifetime” (9/24).

Devex: Family planning in Tanzania: An investment in our women and our future
Halima Shariff, director of Advance Family Planning Tanzania

“…When we provide women with access to contraceptives, it has a positive ripple effect on families, communities, and nations. It’s critical to continue to invest in family planning and ensure that increasing contraceptive use remains central to our national development plans in Tanzania and around the world. Now is the time for us to make this investment in our women and in our future” (9/24).

Huffington Post: We Know It Works, So Let’s Keep Women’s Health Central in Global Development
Ann Starrs, president and CEO of the Guttmacher Institute

“…Various U.N. bodies have been working intensely over the past year to mold the post-2015 development agenda. It is encouraging to see that, thus far, sexual and reproductive health has been included in most drafts and discussions related to the Sustainable Development Goals. As the governments of the world convene this week to discuss them, they need to look at the evidence. But they also need to listen to the voices of the millions of girls and women around the world for whom access to contraception and safe abortion is integral to their survival, to their health, and to their well-being. Few investments reap such rewards, and ultimately, it’s all of us who benefit” (9/24).