Joyce Banda invited to high-level UN retreat
Despite dwindling local support and accusations that she plotted to kill Malawi President Peter Mutharika, former president Joyce Banda continues to enjoy international support.
The United Nations (UN) secretary general Ban Ki-moon has invited Banda to a high-level retreat scheduled for Thursday and Friday this week in New York, United States of America (USA).
The purpose of the Every Woman Every Child High-level Retreat will be to galvanise elite action and leadership to ensure an end to maternal, child and adolescents deaths “within a generation and make certain their wellbeing.”
According to her invitation letter seen by The Nation, Ki-moon has invited Banda in recognition of her leadership and commitment to advancing the health of women, children and adolescents.
Reads part of the letter: “The retreat will serve as the secretary general’s call to action, galvanising a strong coalition of new and existing global health leaders to input and deliver an updated Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health for the 2016-2030 period.”
Signed by Ki-moon’s special adviser Amina Mohammed, the letter also says the updated Global Strategy will help to protect fragile gains of the health Millennium Development Goals.
The UN secretary general launched the Global Strategy in 2010 and the Every Woman Every Child movement has so far helped to strengthen political commitment at highest-levels, mobilise resources, focus attention, consolidate efforts and bring people together to build a global movement.
