How do we better address inequalities affecting women, adolescents and children within Sustainable Development Goals
By Namrata Rana
This post is part of a series of opinion pieces in diverse mediums focusing on the theme “What makes you mad about global health?” These submissions are by McGill students who were part of the course PPHS 511 Fundamentals of Global Health in Fall 2021.
Women, adolescents and children are among the most vulnerable populations who persistently face conflicts due to discrimination, rights violations and global neglect. In alignment with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), addressing inequities is imperative to prioritizing the health of vulnerable populations. While it is unjust to not acknowledge progress made in two social determinants of women’s health; school enrolment increases and increased political participation of women. Yet there persists an inability to address other preventable issues like gender-based violence. In fact, the detrimental effects of COVID-19 were felt hardest by populations in low to middle class countries (LMIC) where these same groups also face increased discrimination.
How far were we along the path of combating inequality? Not too far unfortunately. In 2019, 218 million women from LMICs were unable to avoid unwanted pregnancy due to inaccessible forms of modern contraception. Annually, not having access to contraception results in 111 million unintended pregnancies and 35 million unsafe aberrations. Moreover, major pregnancy complications for nearly 16 million women and 13 million newborns were not attended to. This was a reported 299,000 pregnancy-related deaths and 2.5 million newborn deaths. In effort to ‘leave no one behind’, the global efforts to support the vulnerable fall short when demographics and socioeconomic factors become a filter. Rural vs urban communities have massive gaps such that 82% of under 5 deaths reported were concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia while 86% of all maternal deaths also occurred in these same regions.
COVID-19 Setbacks and How to Get Back on Track
Ending child marriages, prioritizing vaccination in vulnerable populations, educating on reproductive rights, this list can go on. Yet, these lists are fruitless when we choose not to take even one small step in the direction it paves. Grass grows where we water it.
The pandemic has supposedly set us back 30+ years. Countries had to reallocate resources, many taking it from sexual and reproductive health services, thereby increasing risks to women’s health. To put into perspective, Nepal had 51 maternal deaths prior to COVID-19 which nearly quadrupled to 258 women dying due to pregnancy or childbirth between March 2020 and June 2021.
In order to get back on track with the SDG to be reached by 2030, we must act now. Increasing women leadership is crucial to highlighting the issues affecting women. An example of exceptional female leadership is New Zealand’s response to COVID-19, which inspired the world and was led by a phenomenal prime minister, Jacinda Ardern. Such female leadership and allocation of power to women is crucial in LIMCs.
Additionally, COVID-19 has created economic stress on governments, which is leading to reduced government funding being allocated to global issues. Nongovernmental commitments are expecting a significant decrease in financial commitments. Embracing funds from private sector collaborators can be a vital source of funding and innovations to build sustainable solutions. Picking up the pace is the key.
Adolescents are vulnerable because their growth is rapid and demands attention. Intergenerational effects of wars, unique risks of forced sexual encounters and lack of sexual education are all internalized factors supporting oppressive systems. It was estimated that each dollar spent on the development of disadvantaged children can yield a 13% per annum return on investment. However, these programs must also value nutrition interventions, safety, responsive caregiving and early learning to boost productivity in later life and focus on building strong, resilient individuals to lead peaceful societies.
References:
Clark, H. (2021). A commitment to support the world’s most vulnerable women, children, and adolescents. The Lancet, 397(10273), 450–452. https://doi.org/10.1016/ s0140-6736(21)00137-9
Ghouaibi, A., & World Economic Forum. (2021, September 23). COVID-19’s impact on women’s health and rights. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from World Economic Forum website: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/09/lessons-must-belearned-from-covid-19-s-impact-on-women-s-health-andrights/
Martin. (2021). Reduce inequality within and among countries. Retrieved November 30, 2021, from United Nations Sustainable Development website: https://www.un.org/ sustainabledevelopment/inequality/
Protect the Progress. (2020). Retrieved November 30, 2021, from Everywomaneverychild.org website: https:// protect.everywomaneverychild.org/
Riley, T., Sully, E. A., Lince-Deroche, N., Firestein, L., Murro, R., Biddlecom, A., & Darroch, J. E. (2020). Adding It Up: Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health 2019— Methodology Report. https://doi.org/10.1363/2020.31637
Acknowledgments:
We would like to thank Professor Madhukar Pai for setting and sharing this assignment results with us and the teaching assistants Alexandra Jaye Zimmer, Lavanya Huria and Angie Sassi for their support in coordinating the results.