In the three decades following the landmark International Conference on Population and Development, remarkable gains have been made in the quest for sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, yet many women continue to be left behind.

According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, women spend 25 percent more time in poor health relative to men. Further, approximately 190 million women work in global supply chains, and their needs – ranging from health care to protection from harassment and violence – are often neglected.

As we mark the Summit of the Future this year, promoting gender equality and empowering and protecting all women and girls remain essential prerequisites to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNFPA has sought out a range of partnerships, including in the private sector, as well as financial approaches and other creative ways to achieve this mandate. Through the power of strategic partnerships, UNFPA has joined forces with organizations to mobilize resources and leverage knowledge, technology and innovation to achieve the transformative goals that benefit millions of women and girls globally.

UNFPA, in collaboration with Essity, Organon and Reckitt and are co-hosting an event to be held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future under the theme “Partnerships of the Future: The Role of the Private Sector in Advancing Women’s Health and Well-being.”

The side event will serve to achieve the following objectives:

• Celebrate achievements, reflect on progress and advance the principles of the International Conference on Population and Development.
• Highlight successful models of private sector partnerships and discuss concrete ways through which the private sector is mainstreaming the global agenda for women and girls in their operations and core business, transforming commitments to action.
• Present platforms of engagement for the private sector, including the Equity 2030 Alliance and the Coalition for Reproductive Justice in Business, and explore ways to unlock the brainpower, influence and financing power of the private sector.
• Create a space for members of the private sector to come together and support the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development, advance the actions of the Pact for the Future, and move the dial on the health and rights of women and girls.

Registration available here.