South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a powerful call for coordinated global action to safeguard the health and rights of women, children and adolescents, warning that failure to act will have lasting social and economic consequences for generations.
Speaking in his capacity as Chair of the Global Leaders Network at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), Ramaphosa urged governments, donors and civil society to prioritise inclusive health systems and uphold sexual and reproductive rights.
“The cost of inaction on these issues will be counted not only in lives lost, but in futures diminished, communities destabilised, and economic opportunities foregone,” Ramaphosa said during a plenary hosted by the United Nations Population Fund and the Global Leaders Network.
“Women, children and adolescents must be our priority for they represent the future that we are all working so hard to secure.”
Africa continues to face severe health challenges, particularly among women and young people.
According to recent data from the Gates Foundation and its partners, sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over half of global maternal deaths, many of which are caused by preventable conditions such as infections, birth complications and unsafe abortions.
Children and adolescents also suffer disproportionately from treatable illnesses, with limited access to vaccines, sexual education and basic health services in rural and marginalised communities.
“Just as every avoidable death is a policy and administrative failure, every life saved is the result of political will,” the South African leader said.
He outlined three urgent priorities for the Global Leaders Network, which are the placement of women, children and adolescents at the centre of universal health coverage; increasing investment in health financing through domestic and multilateral mechanisms; and defending sexual and reproductive health rights amid global pushbacks.
He also called for innovation in digital health solutions and stronger accountability frameworks to ensure that commitments translate into measurable improvements in survival, well-being and equity.
Ramaphosa chairs the Global Leaders Network, which includes heads of state from Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa.
The network aims to elevate political commitment to health equity and amplify the voices of vulnerable populations in global decision-making.
As official development assistance declines and global priorities shift, Ramaphosa stressed that solidarity and sustained investment are essential to building resilient health systems and securing long-term prosperity.
JN/APA