Women’s Healthcare: In the News
Women’s healthcare has been front and center the past two weeks. Here’s what you need to know.
Sustainable Development Goal #3 Gives Maternal Health a Big Boost
SDG#3 focuses on improving health for all citizens at all ages, but has a special emphasis on maternal health. Since its introduction last week, forty-five countries and 120 multi-state actors have already pledged more than $25 billion in monetary and in-kind contributions for the initiative. Additionally, with the help of UNICEF, the initiative is starting an innovation marketplace to identify new solutions for problems facing women and children, as well as matching financial support to help proven interventions to scale at a country level.
Paid Federal Family Leave Bill Introduced in the Senate
A paid family leave bill for federal employees was introduced in the Senate. The U.S. is one of only three countries that does not provide any guaranteed, paid maternity, paternity or family leave. This bill is an attempt to remedy that for some U.S. employees. Currently, the Family and Medical Leave Act, allows some employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical issues, including maternity leave. Without guaranteed pay though, many families simply can’t afford this time off. The Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act would provide six-weeks of paid time off for government workers. Since the U.S. government is the nation’s largest employer, passage of this bill would make a significant dent in the number of families who currently have no guaranteed income during a time when they’re desperately needed at home.
We Care Solar Wins UN Sustainable Development Award
Our friend and grantee, We Care Solar, won the Powering the Future We Want — Recognizing Innovative Practices in Energy for Sustainable Development
award. Their innovative solar suitcases provide sustainable solar power and equipment along with training for healthcare facilities formerly operating off the grid. We couldn’t be more proud of Dr. Laura Stachel and her team.
Healthy Moms Equal Healthy Babies
A growing emphasis on linking maternal and newborn health interventions is raising awareness that what’s good for the mother is good for the baby. When mothers are malnourished, their babies are more likely to be too. An article in the Times of India reports that 50% of India’s pregnant women are anemic, which results in greater risk for low birth weight and premature birth. Anemia is also a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. The integration of all the SDGS, especially #2 (Eliminate hunger) and #3 (Improve Health for all) aims to remedy malnutrition for mothers and children.
Planned Parenthood Hearing Before Congress
Cecile Richards, CEO of Planned Parenthood went before a Congressional Panel to answer questions regarding the controversial video that has inflamed conversations about reproductive health, access to safe and legal abortion and federal funding for healthcare services.
As a response to the uproar around the reproductive rights conversation, Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner’s digital newsletter gained a lot of buzz this week with the launch of their “#AskYourMother” campaign.