Press Statement: South Centre & CeHDI Project, 5 February 2025
Press Statement:
South Centre with CeHDI steps up work on advancing the right to health including sexual and reproductive health and rights
Geneva, 5 February 2025
The South Centre is enhancing its capacity to support the Global South in advancing the right to health—including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) — and global health equity at a time when progress is facing unprecedented challenges and funding is declining.
The right to health is a fundamental human right that ensures everyone can attain the highest possible standard of physical and mental well-being. As part of this obligation, countries must develop and implement legislation and public policies that comprehensively advance the right to health for all, including access to healthcare and access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, addressing the root causes of health disparities, such as poverty, stigma, and discrimination.
With support from the Centre for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI) and the Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC), which serves as CeHDI’s implementation arm, the South Centre will promote the right to health by advocating for SRHR, enhancing global health equity, and improving access to medicines and other medical products. This will be achieved by amplifying the voice and influence of the Global South, particularly within the World Health Organization (WHO), the Human Rights Council (HRC), and other key international forums addressing health issues.
Building on the South Centre’s strengths, this two-year project will enhance the capacity of Global South policymakers through policy dialogue and evidence-based approaches. By fostering coordination in relevant negotiations, the initiative will increase the Global South’s visibility and collaboration in multilateral efforts to advance the right to health — including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) — and global health equity and solidarity that advances global prosperity.
A first activity will be an event organized at the sides of the Human Rights Council on 14 March 2025.
Media contact: Anna Bernardo, abernardo@southcentre.int
This article was tagged: Access to Medicines, Centre for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), Global Health Equity, Health, Health Development Partnership for Africa and the Caribbean (HeDPAC), Health for All, Human Rights, Right to Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Solidarity
