Global health leaders and experts gathered during the 79th United Nations General Assembly this week for an important discussion on the role of advocacy in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for children. The event, titled “Advocacy to Achieve the SDGs for Children,” was co-sponsored by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator and UNICEF and moderated by Lucy Martinez Sullivan, Executive Vice President of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator.
The panel featured the following speakers:
- Mr. Bhaskar Mishra, CRVS and Legal Identity Specialist, UNICEF
- Ms. Betsy Fuller, Public Health Programs, Bloomberg Philanthropies
- Dr. Juan Pablo Bocarejo Suescún, El Grupo de Estudios en Sostenibilidad Urbana y Regional (SUR), Universidad de los Andes
- Dr. Nguyen Thi An, Country Director, HealthBridge Vietnam Nam
- Mr. Robert Eckford, Program Director, Data for Health Initiative, Global Health Advocacy Incubator
Ms. Sullivan opened the event emphasizing that achieving the SDGs for children requires translating global commitments into actionable advocacy at the country level. She noted that effective advocacy and policies rely heavily on reliable, relevant data at the local level, which is critical for ensuring that the needs of all children are met.
Mr. Mishra highlighted that "a staggering one in four children under the age of five globally are not registered at birth, and over half of under-five deaths go unrecorded." He stressed that addressing these data gaps is crucial for formulating effective health policies. “The widespread lack of quality data compromises our ability to track children’s progress and identify those left behind," Mishra explained. “For this, we must count every birth and every death—and everything that comes in between.” Mr. Mishra emphasized that we need “well-functioning CRVS systems” to create change at a global level.
Ms. Fuller echoed this sentiment, stating that understanding and addressing the critical gaps in achieving the SDGs for children hinges on having the right data—which occurs through building systems for data collection through advocacy at every level. “When people aren’t counted, they are not taken care of,” she reiterated. “Sustainability is achieved through policy. And civil society keeps governments accountable to those policies.” Ms. Fuller also highlighted that data serves as the foundation upon which countries can build effective advocacy strategies.
The conversation then shifted towards actionable steps, as panelists explored how advocacy can empower communities to ensure that every child is counted.
Dr. Bocarejo Suescún discussed the strategies that road safety advocates in Colombia used to push for a new speed reduction law, as traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for young children in Colombia. He shared the story of a boy, Julian Esteban, who tragically died while riding his bike, which spurred the creation of the Julian Estaban Law. Dr. Bocarejo emphasized that advocates not only drive legal reforms but also reshape the infrastructure necessary to implement these changes. He stressed that the next step in advocacy is ensuring that countries “make the law [a reality],” because “changing the law is not enough.”
Mr. Eckford emphasized the direct connection between SDG Goal 16.9 and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems, underscoring that everyone deserves to be counted and have a legal identity. He highlighted the global significance of this issue, illustrating its impact with a story from Colombia: a child in need of urgent medical care was denied treatment because she lacked a birth certificate. The process of obtaining one took weeks, and tragically, she passed away before it could be completed. This example shows the critical role civil registration plays not only in ensuring legal identity but also in achieving other SDGs, such as reducing preventable deaths—an area where accurate data is essential for tracking progress. Mr. Eckford also stressed the importance of engaging civil society at the grassroots level to elevate political prioritization of CRVS systems.
Dr. An emphasized the multiple components necessary to achieve policy victories and change perspectives, particularly through youth engagement. “We’re working with children, for children, but most importantly, by children,” she said, highlighting the importance of involving young people in identifying issues within their communities and offering recommendations. Creating an environment where children can raise their voices about the issues they care about is crucial to shifting the culture around them. Dr. An also stressed the role of capacity building in advocacy, ensuring that those directly affected are at the center of efforts.
Watch the full event here:
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