Will the Voices of Women and Girls Be Heard at UNGA 79?

Stories

The 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) will begin this September, with world leaders gathering in New York to discuss pressing global issues. But the question remains: will the voices of women and girls be heard? Will their challenges be represented, and will their demands finally take centre stage?

Leaders have gathered in conference halls for too long, discussing these pressing global challenges but often neglecting the urgent demands of women and girls. Critical topics: quality care, women’s economic power, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) which directly impact maternal and newborn health, remain on the sidelines of these global conversations. The theme for UNGA79, “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for the Advancement of Peace, Sustainable
Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations,” is ambitious. White Ribbon Alliance Kenya (WRA Kenya), working to influence SDGs 3 and 5 directly asks; how can we truly leave no one behind if the voices of women and girls continue to be ignored?

Minimal Progress on Maternal and Newborn Health

Despite reaching the midpoint of the SDG era, the progress reports for maternal and newborn health—particularly the Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) and Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) — show minimal advancement. Alarming statistics reveal that every minute globally, a woman dies from childbirth, contributing to an estimated 6,500 maternal deaths annually in Kenya, which equates to 17 deaths every day. These figures underscore the urgency of addressing maternal health crises more comprehensively.

Over 1.5 million women, girls and health care workers across Kenya have voiced their concerns through the unprecedented What Women Want (WWW) campaign that began in 2018, expressing their urgent demands for better maternal and newborn healthcare. These , voices seek to be heard at UNGA79, and their needs and demands must take centre stage in the global conversation!

Calling for Accountability: Real Voices from the Frontlines

As UNGA79 progresses, world leaders must listen to the real-life struggles of women like Stella Nasimiyu, Pauline Mukhaweso, Harriet Mmbone, and Rehema Dida, who advocate for basic rights and essential services that should already be available. These women are not mere statistics; their voices and faces demand action.

 

 

Stella Nasimiyu, from rural Bungoma, requests a simple yet essential item: a mosquito net. Living in a malaria-prevalent area, Stella knows that this net could protect both her and her unborn child from Malaria.

 

 

Harriet Mmbone, a young mother living in an informal settlement in Nairobi county, is fighting for access to clean, safe, and reliable water. Every day, she buys water in jerry cans from the local water vendors. She cannot ascertain the safety of the water, for her and her child.

 

 

Rehema Dida, from a remote village in Isiolo County, calls for the construction of a hospital in her community. Walking 24 kilometers to the nearest health facility is both exhausting and dangerous. Rehema advocates for accessible healthcare services in underserved areas.

 

 

Eunice Mayisu, from Kajiado County, demands the inclusion of language translators in health facilities. As a hospital cashier, Eunice knows how language barriers prevent women, particularly the elderly, from receiving proper care. She demands that translators be available to ensure all women understand the care they receive.

 

 

Pauline Mukhaweso, from Bungoma County, demands respect from healthcare workers. Having experienced mistreatment during her previous births, Mary now understands through WRA Kenya’s Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) training that she has a right to dignified care. She is determined to ensure this right is honoured.

 

 

 

Jacinta Mbithe, living in Mukuru Kwa Njenga in Nairobis’ informal settlements, calls for clean and free toilets. In informal settlements, many women must pay to use toilets, but when there is no money, they face tough choices between health and their dignity. This is in addition to poor waste disposal leading to environmental degradation and disease transmission.

 

These women’s stories reflect the struggles faced by millions of women and girls across Kenya and globally. This year, their demands should resonate at UNGA79, ensuring that their voices are heard.

Their Faces Will Be Seen, Their Voices Heard

At WRA Kenya, we do not speak for women; we let them speak for themselves. This year at UNGA79, the conversation must change to reflect What Women Demand. Women have refused to be excluded and are declaring that they will be part of the discussion. As leaders discuss and decide, women will be watching closely to see that their demands are heard and included in the conversations, demanding that maternal and newborn health challenges are addressed and especially the pressing issues around quality, equity, and dignity.

Through portraits taken across Kenya, the stories of these women will reach the UNGA79 stage. Their faces will be seen, their voices heard, and their struggles and demands visually represented for the world to witness.

A Call for Global Action

As global leaders gather in New York, White Ribbon Alliance Kenya calls for them to listen. The world can no longer ignore the pressing challenges faced by women and newborns. The time has come to move beyond discussion and make a tangible resolve, meaningful, concrete action.

Will they be heard? Will you listen and act?