Women and children short-changed by G8 leaders
Women and children are being let down by the G8
26 June 2010: Women and children in the world's poorest countries have been let down by the latest financial pledge by G8 leaders, says Plan.
The $5 billion promised by leaders, while welcome, falls far short of what Plan and other non-governmental organisations are calling for from G8 countries in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health by 2015.
Global funding gap
Canada set the best example by committing $1.1 billion in new funding. Collectively however, the G8 failed to step up to its $24 billion fair share of what is needed globally to stop millions of women and children dying in the developing world.
The longer it takes to fill the more than $30 billion MDG funding gap for maternal, newborn and child health, the more lives will be lost, says Plan.
“Progress on reducing the avoidable tragedies of child mortality, death in childbirth and preventable diseases has been unacceptably slow. Countries which have made past commitments should honour them,” said Plan Chief Executive Officer Nigel Chapman.
Pregnancy a death sentence
“It is disgraceful in this day and age that pregnancy can still equate to a death sentence for many. And that preventable diseases such as malaria, TB and HIV are still the brutal reality for millions across the globe.
“Inaction on global health is not an option – those who die from poverty will not be given a second chance,” he said.
The G8 Accountability report is however a welcome step to ensure that current and past promises are kept. The report will contribute to greater transparency on past commitments, funds allocated and, most importantly, lives saved, says Plan.
Plan urges leaders to increase momentum towards meeting all MDGs at the UN summit in September.
