Speaking during the session, H.E. Maurizio Massari, President of the assembly and permanent secretary from Italy to the United Nations, said, “Women and girls cannot wait 68 years for child marriage to become history.”

His words painstakingly underscored the slow progress since the Beijing Declaration, which set ambitious goals for empowering women and dismantling systemic barriers. Despite decades of advocacy, challenges like poverty and discrimination continue to undermine these rights.

Accordingly, Sima Bahous, the Executive Director for UN Women, said, “We want to place young people, feminists, girls, and young women at the centre of development. Let history judge us not by our promises but  by the rights fulfilled for women and girls .” She advocated for progress towards gender equality.

Maka Chikowero, founder and president of MTC Educate A Girl, decried, “Systemic poverty among  women contributes to  school dropouts.” Chikowero underscored that “Child marriage remains a challenge.” She decried that “Lack of access and the digital divide make it a challenge for women, especially those in the rural areas.”

Accordingly, Imali Ngusale, the Lead Strategist at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) said that there needs to be intentional funding for the Global South. Ngusale emphasized that the intentionality of gender equality must put in place mechanisms that attempt to help women in the global south.

“We must move beyond rhetoric and embrace change that will help us achieve what we have been documenting for the last 30 years,” added Ngusale while submitting the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) position on gender justice.’

Africa.”

The session attracted an influential mix of stakeholders, government officials, leaders in the vaccine manufacturing industry, global health experts and advocates, civil society organizations, and journalists. 

Speaking during the event, Dr. Stephen Njuguna, Director of Health Products and Technologies at the Ministry of Health in Kenya, said, “Our country imports more than 80% of health products and technologies.” This reveals the overreliance of the health sector on foreign production and supply. Dr. Njuguna further noted that “Kenya’s local production is limited to dermatologicals and painkillers.”

He also warned that dependence on international suppliers leaves the country vulnerable to global supply shocks, which could trigger a crisis if medicine shortages ensue.

” We cannot afford to wait,” lauded Dr. Njuguna, ” We must recalibrate policy to give our manufacturers room to breathe and expand.” His view comes at a time when American politics is altering tax exemptions.

With the same tone,  Dr. Rabera Kenyanya, the Head of Operations at the Kenya Biovax Institute, lauded the need to further stimulate local production.

Dr. Kenyanya said, “Kenya has a timeline of 5–10 years to reach full operational capacity.” She, however, cautioned that without quality control, “Kenya risks harming a whole generation.”

Mutana Wanjira Gakuru, a Representative of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization CSO Constituency, underscored the need of leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to align procurement and create regional demand. Whether Kenya will heed this recommendation or not will be pegged on time.

As the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD) continues to lead critical conversations on strengthening local vaccine production, Kenyans and indeed all Africans must ask a deeper question: How long can we afford to rely on global systems that have repeatedly failed us in times of crisis? The true measure of health sovereignty lies not in access alone, but in the power to produce, protect, and provide for our own.

This week, 25 leading experts from civil society, research institutions, academia, and the private sector convened in Nakuru for a high-stakes SMART Advocacy Training led by the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD).

Samuel Makau, the CHReaDCoalition coordinator, said, ” The time for smart advocacy for Africa is now given the changing times.” Makau asserted, that civil society organizations should continue advocacy so long as they work together and co-create projects that are inclusive.

Additionally, Imali Ngusale, the Lead strategist from the African Center for Health, Climate and Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) echoed the same sentiments, citing that Health non-profit organizations need to re-think out of the box and implement projects that focus on increasing domestic funding for research and development.

It is estimated that the United States of America has cut funding of approximately $60 billion in overall foreign aid, and a significant portion of this is from health programs in Africa. It is, therefore, likely that projects tackling diseases like malaria and AIDS and potentially disrupting HIV treatment and prevention programs. 

It is perhaps for this reason why Shirley Sabrina from WEMA Africa believes that SMART advocacy is a necessary tool for achieving health change objectives.” In her view, decision-makers must prioritize health and fund sustainable solutions for future generations.

While many health practitioners may not yet be fully acquainted with the principles of SMART Advocacy, Gloria Gatuuru of WACI Health believes it holds immense potential. She insists that there is a high possibility that health advocates and workers will benefit from it,  because it enables a deeper introspection on Africa’s health future.

Accordingly, Mwanaisha Aura from the Access to Medicines Platform (META Health) said,” Smart advocacy is about strategy, evidence, and targeted engagement with relevant stakeholders.” Aura believes that advocacy must be intentional, guided by data-driven strategies and engagement with key decision-makers to drive meaningful change.

As Africa faces shrinking health budgets, the path forward remains uncertain. But one thing is undeniable, health advocacy is evolving, and those who embrace SMART strategies will captain the future of healthcare on the continent.

Speaking to the Liberal News Network, Imali said, “COP29 is drawing to a close, but a lot remains unresolved! We need an ambitious #NCQG that truly meets the needs of those most affected by the climate crisis.”

Ngusale also emphasized the urgency for a robust NCQG framework that prioritizes the needs of vulnerable communities. The NCQG, anchored in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement, aims to cap global temperature rises at 1.5°C, enhance resilience to climate impacts, and align financial flows with sustainable development, all while safeguarding food security.

Adding his voice to the conversation, Emmanuel Lekishon, a UNFPA Youth Champion from Kenya and ACHCGA co-founder, highlighted the stakes for frontline communities. Lekishon also said, “My community remains at the frontlines of climate disaster, and the NCQG deliberations could be our last hope.”

The NCQG holds transformative potential, but its realization faces significant hurdles. Among these are the lack of global consensus and the chronic shortfall in financing commitments. These gaps not only undermine the Paris Agreement’s objectives but also exacerbate the vulnerabilities of those living at the intersection of climate change and socioeconomic inequities.

ACHCGA has consistently called for actionable deliverables at COPs, with a focus on equity in climate financing, clear roadmaps for implementation, and grassroots participation in decision-making. “The success of the NCQG will depend on whether it reflects the realities and aspirations of those most affected by climate change,” Ngusale reiterated.

As COP29 concludes, ACHCGA remains steadfast in advocating for climate justice and ambitious NCQGs, urging states to bridge divides and deliver solutions that resonate with those bearing the brunt of the climate crisis.

For more updates on ACHCGA’s work and perspectives, visit achcga.org.

Imali Ngusale, founder of the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), opened the discussion with a powerful statement, “Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant factor impacting public health, particularly reproductive and maternal health.”

Ngusale emphasized that rising temperatures, water scarcity, and extreme weather events disproportionately affect women and girls, particularly in low-resource settings. She pointed out that disaster-prone regions experience heightened maternal mortality risks, with healthcare systems often unable to meet the increased demand for services. Pregnant women, newborns, and families are among the most vulnerable, facing threats from disrupted access to care, poor nutrition, and unsafe environments.

The discussion also underscored midwives’ indispensable role as frontline responders in this crisis, “Midwives are not only healthcare providers but also agents of change in their communities,” said Ngusale. “Their ability to adapt to climate challenges while safeguarding maternal and reproductive health is crucial.”

Dr. Mazen Mlkawi, Regional Director for Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), echoed Ngusale’s sentiments, noting the profound intersection of climate and health.

This sentiment was also echoed by Dr. Abderrahmane Sidi El Moctar of Mauritania, who moderated the session. Highlighting findings from a recent UNFPA study, he stated, ” UNFPA ‘s study shed light on the critical role midwives can play as catalysts for climate action, bridging the gap between policy and practice in vulnerable regions.”

Izzy Rigda, an Australian policy, economics, and public impact expert, stressed that climate change exacerbates gender disparities. In her view, “Climate shocks disproportionately impact women in the global south.”

Rigda said, “Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate shocks. Some are forced to relocate, which increases their exposure to gender-based violence. Additionally, they often shoulder the burden of securing resources for their families in the aftermath of disasters.”

She called for stronger policy measures to protect women and girls and healthcare systems are not only climate-resilient but also gender-responsive.

The panel concluded with a resounding call to action, urging decision-makers to prioritize investments in midwifery training that address gender inequities. Additionally, the panelists called for the urgent need to integrate climate adaptation strategies into public health plans to safeguard reproductive and maternal health in the face of an uncertain climate future.

During the workshop, Samuel Makau, Coordinator of the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD), emphasized the critical need for health experts in Kenya to understand the national budgeting process better to advocate more effectively for Research and Development (R&D).

“Health experts must learn about the budgeting process in Kenya to better advocate for research and development,” Makau stated, stressing the importance of aligning expertise with fiscal strategy.

Echoing this sentiment, Catriona Mumuli, the Advocacy, Policy, and Communications Associate, from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) said, “This workshop is so timely because it will help research experts appreciate the advocacy process in Kenya.”

Mumuli also pointed out the shifting landscape in the country, adding, “It’s critical for Kenya to increase its budget for research and development as times are changing.”

Retrospectively, Maureen Awuor from AMREF underscored the need for a deeper understanding of how R&D budgets are structured, stressing that Kenya should aim to meet the goals outlined in the Abuja Declaration.

“Understanding the budget for research and development remains essential,” Awuor said, referring to the 2001 commitment by African nations to allocate at least 15% of their annual budgets to the health sector.

Despite optimism in Research and Development, Imali Ngusale, the Technical Lead from the African Center For Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA)  flagged concerns that highlighted potential risks that could impede health milestones if research is not considered as a priority. 

Ngusale said,” CHREAD’s focus on healthcare advocacy should prioritize budget allocations for the upcoming FY2025/26.”

Accordingly, Abraham Otieno from Bajetu Hub said that the budget process in Kenya is a cyclic process and the coalition’s inclusive approach needs to be intentional to shape the budget allocation process. 

The CHREAD coalition continues to fuel her new appetite for budget advocacy. The increase in Research and Development investments in Kenya will likely be because of the collective efforts and promises that will enhance accountability, ensure public participation, and create fiscal policies that truly serve the people.

Notably, Saudi Arabia has partnered with the Group of 20 nations and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) on the G20 Global Land Initiative, which aims to cut degradation by 50 percent by 2040. In December, the country will hold the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This will be the first time the region has hosted this meeting, which is widely seen as a pivotal moment in the global effort to end land degradation.

It is worth noting that the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) will be a few weeks after the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference dabbed COP 29 set to take place in  Baku, Azerbaijan.