|
118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union
15 April 2008
Dr Francisco Songane, Director, The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health addressing the Parliamentarians at the 118th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union:
"From your [Parliamentarians] experience, from your leadership and from your commitment, we urge you to represent the voice of women and children…Those women and children who do not have a voice. You, Members of Parliaments, could be their voice and raise their concerns on the international arena to make change happen.
"You have the power to legislate. We ask you to legislate, to ensure universal access to essential care. We ask you to make sure there is no legal hurdle to ensure that women and children benefit from those interventions."
"We ask you to oversee and monitor what the governments are delivering. Question whether they are delivering their commitments and what they said they would do to change the situation."
"Budget and allocate money where it is needed. Allocate money where the difference will be felt most."
"Advocate in your countries and advocate your constituencies for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)."
"Finally, we ask you to ensure that MDGs are a priority issue on the agenda throughout the year—nationally, regionally and internationally. Allocate money and address inequities in order to change the situation and to ensure that the health of women and children will no longer be 'orphaned' ".
|
