The Every Woman Every Child movement has made significant progress in improving health care for millions of poor women and children, resulting in a 25% reduction in maternal and child death rates. The initiative has attracted $60 billion in resources from over 400 commitments by more than 300 partners.
Preterm birth is now the world's number one killer of young children, accounting for nearly 1.1 million deaths in 2013. Direct complications from preterm births killed an additional 125,000 children between one month and five years old.
New research finds that 50% of under-five child mortality reduction is due to high-impact health interventions, while the remaining 50% is attributed to factors outside the health sector. Successful countries deployed tailored strategies to address immediate needs, work towards long-term visions, and adapt quickly to change.
Some of the world's poorest countries have cut maternal and young child mortality rates by half or more, according to a new report from Countdown to 2015. Remarkable progress has been achieved in expanding programs to prevent HIV transmission and vaccinate children against life-threatening illnesses.
Between 2011 and 2020, over 140 million girls will become child brides, with 50 million under 15. This practice increases the risk of intimate partner violence and HIV infection. The UN calls for an end to child marriage by 2030 to meet Millennium Development Goals.
A $20 billion funding boost has been made towards improving women's and children's health, with $10 billion already spent. The funding gap between initial pledges and actual spending remains significant, highlighting the need for better targeting of funds to areas of greatest need.
Global efforts to save women, newborn babies, and young children are not moving fast enough. Despite progress in some countries, many still struggle with high rates of maternal and child mortality.