Oluwatobi Adu 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Lawmakers from nine countries urge stronger political leadership, gender-responsive health systems and sustained investment in women’s health during a high-level dialogue at the World Health Organization headquarters.
The discussions, held on 20 January 2026 and convened by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, focus on sexual and reproductive health, cancer prevention and global health governance, according to a statement made public on Monday by WHO.
“Women’s health outcomes are shaped by gender inequalities, social norms and structural barriers,” says Dr Alia El-Yassir, WHO Director for Gender, Equity and Diversity. “Medical care alone is not enough.”
WHO Gender Equality Technical Lead Dr Anna Coates says progress since the 1995 Beijing Declaration remains uneven.
“We must build health systems that respond to women’s needs across the life course — from adolescence to old age,” she says.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights dominate the dialogue, with Dr Pascale Allotey stressing the importance of evidence-based laws.
“Lawmakers play a decisive role in translating research into effective policy,” she notes.
Cancer emerges as a growing threat, with WHO experts outlining integrated strategies for prevention, screening and access to essential medicines.
Participants also examine reforms to global health governance. WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Jeremy Farrar reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to stronger parliamentary engagement.
The meeting ends with a collective pledge to deepen collaboration ahead of the UNITE Global Summit 2026 in Manila.
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