Problems
Women, children and young people in the poorest countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, face problems that kill them, harm them or hold them back.
Problems like severe complications in pregnancy and childbirth, deadly diseases and unacceptable violence.
The Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Building on the Millennium Development Goals the Sustainable Development Goals are a plan to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
The life course
The WHO defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". The life course approach can help realise the vision of the SDGs - well-being for all, at all ages.
Key stages in people’s lives have particular relevance for their health. The life-course approach is about recognising the importance of these stages in life and focusing on the impact of health determinants - the economic, environmental and social conditions - on health and well-being at these stages.
A baby sleeps peacefully on their mother's lap
Children
Tragically, many children across the world die before their fifth birthday. This is most often due to preventable or treatable causes.
A young girl holds onto her books
Young people
Young people face a wide range of problems including poor sexual and reproductive health, abuse such as female genital mutilation, and self-harm.
One of the young women that lead a local health group (Photo: Sam Strickland)
Women
Women face immense challenges to their health and wellbeing. Many of these are linked to avoidable health issues and underlined by gender inequalities.
A smiling mother places her hand on their bump (Photo: Corrie Wingate)
Pregnancy, delivery and after birth
Women and babies in developing countries, face a dangerous time, particularly during pregnancy, childbirth and the period after birth.
Answers
Local communities have the answers.
But too often they are told what to do, treated as the problem or ignored.
Not by us.
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