On 20 January 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed a group of parliamentarians to its Geneva headquarters for an important exchange focused on women’s health, enhancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and discussing the path forward for global health cooperation.

The meeting was organized in collaboration with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health. Participants included legislative representatives from Albania, Germany, Georgia, Mexico, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Zimbabwe.

Improving women's health through unified strategies

A primary topic of discussion was the need to adopt cohesive solutions for women’s health instead of isolated interventions. Dr Alia El-Yassir, WHO Director for Gender, Equity and Diversity, emphasized that gender disparities, ingrained social norms, and systemic barriers continue to influence women's health throughout their lives. She advocated for coordinated efforts across health systems to tackle these challenges.

Reflecting on the three decades since the adoption of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Dr Anna Coates, WHO's Gender Equality Technical Lead, observed that global advancement in women’s health has been uneven. She called for health systems that better respond to gender needs and consider the full spectrum of women’s experiences throughout their life.

Parliamentarians agreed that health is intertwined with broader social and economic frameworks, and they highlighted the need to bridge data, legislation, and real-world results at the national level.

Supporting sexual and reproductive health across all ages

Sexual and reproductive health and rights were another key focus of the dialogue, with legislators showing significant interest in policies that resonate with their communities.

Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s department focusing on reproductive, maternal, child, adolescent health and ageing, introduced WHO’s life-course approach to SRHR. She explained how health priorities evolve with age and are influenced by external factors such as social environments, emergencies, and demographic changes.

Dr Allotey emphasized the vital contribution parliamentarians can make in promoting SRHR by working closely with WHO and the Human Reproduction Programme to shape data-driven policies.

Addressing cancer from prevention to compassionate care

Cancer prevention and treatment were highlighted as growing concerns for women's health and the long-term viability of health systems. Presenters, including Dr Prebo Barango, head of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative; Dr Meghan Doherty, palliative care consultant; and Mr Santiago Milan, leader of WHO's Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicine, shared insights into WHO’s coordinated cancer control approach. This strategy includes steps for prevention, early detection, access to critical medications, and palliative care, with special attention to cervical, breast, and childhood cancers.

The discussion emphasized the necessity for strong political will and financial commitment to reduce the burden of NCDs. Lawmakers shared national case studies, highlighting the extensive emotional, social, and financial toll of cancer, and reinforcing the value of improving public awareness, eliminating stigmas, and offering patient-centered services.

Reimagining global health collaboration

Participants also examined the current landscape of international cooperation in public health. Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, discussed key organizational changes aimed at making WHO more efficient and effective in assisting member states. He stressed the importance of stronger collaboration with parliamentary bodies, acknowledging their influential role in shaping laws, policies, and health budgets.

Path forward

The gathering concluded with a unified view: achieving better outcomes in women’s health depends on political will, stable resources, and responsive international institutions. The dialogue closed with agreement to pursue ongoing cooperation through partnerships with KAS and the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health. This includes looking ahead to the upcoming UNITE Global Summit 2026, scheduled for 6–7 March in Manila, Philippines.