Five Action Steps To Take for the G8/G20

This week, G8 and G20 leaders will meet to discuss how to best spend international aid in order to meet development goals.  We know the answer: Women are at the heart of the MDGs, and investing in women pays. Make your voice heard!  Here are five action steps you can take:

 JOIN FORCES WITH WOMEN DELIVER'S CALL TO ACTION

Join forces with Women Deliver by downloading our letter to the leaders of the G8 and sending it, or even better handing it, to your government leaders. Women Deliver will be attending the G8/G20 summits, so make sure to follow us on twitter @WomenDeliver for live updates and track our live blogs as we "Countdown to the G8/G20".

 SIGN YOUR NAME TO THE ONE CAMPAIGN

Each year, between 350,000 and 500,000 women die in pregnancy and childbirth, 3.6 million children die within their first month of life and 5.2 million more die before they reach 5 years of age. By filling in the gap of healthcare workers worldwide, we can save the lives of women, newborns and children.  Let the G8 know that you support the ONE Campaign's call for an additional 3.5 million healthcare workers to be trained by 2015. Sign your name here.

URGE THE G8 LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE MDG5

Join the International Confederation of Midwives, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the International Council of Nurses,  the International Pediatricians Association and the White Ribbon Alliance in urging the G8 that the time is now to prioritize MDG5.  Read the letter here, and send it on to your friends and colleagues.

TEAM UP WITH GLOBAL HEALTH ADVOCATES

Team up with global health advocates from around the world, including Ai Tominaga, Angelique Kidjo, Annie Lennox, Claudia Winkleman, Celine Dion, Davina McCall, Diana Quick, Jarvis Church, Jermain Jenas, Dame Judi Dench, Joanna Lumley, Jully Black, June Sarpong, Kirstie Allsopp, Kristin Davis, Liya Kebede, Livia Firth, Margaret MacMillan, Mariella Frostrop, Mena Suvari, Minnie Driver, Maureen McTeer, Naomi Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Scarlett Johansson, and Wendi Murdoch in calling the G8 to action. Read the letter and help spread the word.

FOLLOW UPDATES FROM FAMILY CARE INTERNATIONAL

Family Care International will be at the G8 and G20 Summits in Canada this week, and you can follow our live updates on Facebook and Twitter! Amy Boldosser, a member of FCI’s global advocacy team, along with colleagues from the Global Health Council, will be blogging the summits at the Blog 4 Global Health; Amy will be posting on RH Reality Check too.