Civil Society Organizations Statement to the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union

The 15th African Union (AU) Summit began Monday 19 July 2010 in Kampala, Uganda. The summit is addressing various issues, including health, infrastructure and food security. It will also tackle security concerns in Somalia. Pre Summit, members of African Civil Society, comprising organizations working on maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, gender, youth, human rights, peace and security, and sustainable development issues in Africa, met to discuss issues affecting Maternal, Infant and Child Health Development in Africa. The Pre Summit was organized by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).

The result of the Pre Summit meetings was a statement by the civil society organizations delivered to the 15th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union calling upon African Governments to work towards improving the health of women. It asks that they enact policies, strengthen health and community systems and accountability mechanisms, increase resources for health, integrate previous commitments, and more, to accelerate the attainment of the MDG. Read the statement here.