Introduction

Intense national efforts, supported by a number of global partnerships, have led to great progress over the past two decades in reducing maternal and newborn mortality and improving the health and well-being of women,1 newborns and adolescents (1). But progress has been uneven and too many are still being left behind. Global estimates point to approximately 810 maternal deaths every day (2), one stillbirth every 16 seconds (3) and 2.4 million newborn deaths each year (4), while almost one in five women gives birth without assistance from a skilled health provider (5). An estimated 218 million women globally have unmet needs for modern contraception (6) and at least 10 million unintended pregnancies occur each year among 15–19-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries (7). Emerging data from 2020 are starting to reveal the devastating effects of Covid-19 across these and other key indicators of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health (SRMNAH) (8). The response to and recovery from the pandemic must prioritize meeting the SRMNAH needs of women, newborns, children, adolescents and families.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Good Health and Well-Being

Gender Equality

Reduced Inequalities