Latest news with #SDG3
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Global Experts Acknowledge TATA Wooden Door's Breakthrough in Urban Noise Control Through Scenario-Based Construction in China
BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On July, 2025, during the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, Dr. Zhang Qihua, President of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Development Foundation, pointed out in an interview: 'As focus stays on air and water, WHO ranks urban noise as the second-biggest environmental health risk.' Noise Pollution: A Neglected Global Health Threat. 'In megacities over ten million, long-term noise exposure raises cardiovascular disease risk by 27%.' 'This directly hinders the achievement of SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).' He emphasized that the acoustic environment is gaining attention in public health and governance. With 48% of residents suffering sleep disturbances, improving tranquility is no longer just technical—it's a systemic social task. Scenario-Based Innovation: A Chinese Breakthrough Approach In the relevant discussion, Dr. Zhang pointed out several outstanding cases from Chinese enterprises in reducing residential noise: 'We have observed that some Chinese companies are exploring more adaptable noise-reduction solutions tailored to the structural characteristics of local housing.' 'For example, the Chinese brand TATA Wooden Door has developed quiet products tailored to family needs in small apartments, multi-generational homes, and elderly-friendly spaces. 'Such approaches also offer reference value for other developing countries.' He believes that the process of enabling residential scenarios through technology is not only a response to real pain points in families but also promotes the shift of 'quietness' from a single function to a lifestyle component. Global Collaboration to Promote the Popularization of the 'Quiet Lifestyle' On how to promote the global adoption of the 'quiet lifestyle,' Dr. Zhang stated that the key lies in experience sharing and local adaptation. He believes that mature markets can share acoustic standards and governance mechanisms, while emerging markets offer valuable practices in product innovation and application scenarios. 'Cases like TATA Wooden Door show that acoustic optimization isn't limited by technology and can be implemented sustainably based on needs.' 'Sharing practical cases through forums helps regions find suitable paths.' 'When people begin choosing quiet products aligned with their lifestyles, it becomes a meaningful step toward better living environments,' Dr. Zhang concluded.
Scoop
19-07-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Health And Gender Equality Are Indivisible And Fundamental Human Rights
'Right to health cannot be dislocated from gender equality and human rights. We have to ensure that gender equality and human right to health are recognised as fundamental human rights in all countries,' said Lucknow-based Shobha Shukla, who was the Lead Discussant for SDG-3 (health and wellbeing) at the United Nations intergovernmental High Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025) at UN HQ in New York (14-23 July 2025). She was the only Indian on the panel and speaking on behalf of Asia Pacific Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism. The theme of HLPF 2025 is 'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind'. The 2025 HLPF with full appreciation for the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the Sustainable Development Goals, is conducting in-depth reviews of: SDG-3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages); SDG-5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls); SDG-8 (promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all); SDG-14 (conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development); and SDG-17 (strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development). 'Progress towards SDG3, continues to be stunted in the Asia Pacific region, such as on universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; communicable and noncommunicable diseases; universal health coverage; and access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable disease prevention tools like vaccines, diagnostics and medicines,' said Shobha Shukla, who earlier taught physics at Loreto Convent College and leads CNS as Founder Executive Director. She is a feminist and development justice leader who coordinates Sexual Health with Equity & Rights (SHE & Rights). 'Gender disparities significantly impact health outcomes and evidence shows that SDG 3 goals cannot be realised without addressing SDG 5 on gender equality. Rise of anti-rights and anti-gender ideologies, including the regressive Geneva Consensus Declaration, the most recent trend of defunding development assistance for gender equality and health, the impact of austerity measures in debt-ridden countries, deprioritisation of health spending, and poor domestic resource allocation on health, are contributing to reversal in progress towards SDG3,' she added. Sexual and reproductive health and bodily autonomy are critical to deliver on SDG3 and other SDGs 'Essential health services must include sexual and reproductive health services - including safe abortion and post-abortion care, menstrual health hygiene, and mental health services, with particular attention to women, adolescent girls, persons with disability, indigenous peoples, gender diverse communities, older people, young people, migrant workers, refugees, people living with HIV, sex workers, people who use drugs, among others. They must also include all health and social support services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence,' said Shobha Shukla. Save the medicines that protect us 'All countries must stop misuse and overuse of medicines in all sectors and prevent antimicrobial resistance using the One Health approach,' said Shobha Shukla who serves as Chairperson of Global Antimicrobial Resistance Media Alliance (GAMA). 'WHO FCTC Articles 5.3 and 19 empower governments to make tobacco and nicotine industries liable and pay for the harm they are causing to human health and our planet. All forms of corporate capture of public health policy must end and corporations that are causing harm to human health and the environment must be held liable,' she said. Gender-transformative reforms of global financial architecture is vital Gender transformative economic system that is based on rights to justice, care, and equality for everyone urgently. Because most of the countries in the Global South are in the cycles of perennial debt – which they have to keep servicing to international financial institutions. This results into austerity measures which include countries cutting down on public services, access to health services, education services, social protection services, among others. Governments must suspend patents and lift trade rules that impede access to medicines and medical technologies, said Shobha Shukla. UN Charter and other legally binding treaties like CEDAW, FCTC, etc have to take primacy over trade deals - we cannot let profit override people's interests. Also, we cannot forget COVID-19 when multilateralism failed the Global South. Vaccines were piled up and expired ones thrown by some rich nations when Global South nations had no dose for example. We cannot have Global North heavy multilateralism. 'Governments also need to address occupational health and provide meaningful 'right to know' to workers, prioritize prevention, and establish exposure limits protective of the most vulnerable populations. All SDG3 targets must be fully-funded and DAC countries (30 developed nations that give aid to developing nations) should fulfill their commitment to official development assistance (ODA) for gender equality and health. At the same time countries must mobilise domestic resources for health,' she added. Health responses and all public services must be person-centred, gender transformative and rights-based 'We have to ensure that health responses and all public services are people-centred, gender transformative and rights-based for all, without any condition or exclusion,' said Shobha Shukla, lead discussant for SDG3 at HLPF 2025. 'With less than 5 and a half years left to deliver on SDG3, we appeal to governments to step up their actions on gender equality and right to health - where no one is left behind,' she said.
Herald Malaysia
16-07-2025
- Health
- Herald Malaysia
Holy See: Policies must support families, motherhood, equality
The Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, calls for nations to implement policies that support and protect families, motherhood, and maternity, along with the promotion of equality between women and men. Jul 16, 2025 File photo of a mother and her child By Deborah Castellano Lubov"Policies that support and protect families, motherhood, and maternity, need to be implemented alongside the promotion of equality between women and men." The Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, expressed this during the course of the High-Level Political Forum debates on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) on ensure healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, on 14 July, and on Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5), on achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, on 15 July, at the UN in New York. SDG 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being Archbishop Caccia reflected on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 3, highlighting how important it is to underscore that health is not merely the absence of illness, but "a holistic state of physical, psychological, social, spiritual and emotional wellbeing," and "a vital part of integral human development." Yet, he lamented, that progress towards the achievement of SDG 3 remains uneven. "Persistent obstacles, including fragile health systems, inadequate funding, and an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases continue to exacerbate existing health disparities." To overcome these challenges and realise health and well-being for all, he noted, comprehensive and integrated policies that recognise the interdependence of SDG3 with other Goals should be adopted. The Permanent Observer also insisted that achieving health and wellbeing for all, also calls for special attention to be paid to the most vulnerable, including the unborn, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, migrants and those living in conflict-affected areas. In this context, he exhorted, "Ideological or economic agendas must never shape healthcare; it must remain person-centred." For this reason, the Archbishop reiterated, faith-based organisations, including Catholic health institutions play "a vital role," noting that strengthening partnerships with these institutions could help to keep healthcare person-centred. With regard to meaningfully contributing to healthcare, Archbishop Caccia recalled that the Catholic Church, which runs approximately a quarter of all health facilities worldwide, will continue to provide care to the poorest and those in the most remote areas. SDG 5: Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls The Permanent Observer also welcomed the discussion on Sustainable Development Goal 5, dedicated to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, which was held the following day. "Gender equality," he stated, "is rooted in the equal God-given dignity of every man and woman, 'inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance […]. This principle, which is fully recognizable even by reason alone,' he continued, 'underlines the primacy of the human person and the protection of human rights.'' Archbishop Caccia said that recognizing this equal dignity is a critical starting point for achieving SDG5. "However," he warned, "recognition alone is not enough," for "equality requires creating conditions that enable the integral development of women and girls, including access to quality education and healthcare, and decent work and participation in every sphere of life for women." Archbishop Caccia said that any meaningful discussion of SDG5 must address the systemic obstacles to the integral development of millions of women and girls, including poverty, violence and exclusion. "Addressing these injustices," he underscored, "is a moral imperative and a prerequisite for long-term development and progress." In this token, the Permanent Observer insisted, "the roles that women and men play within families and communities must be protected." "Policies that support and protect families, motherhood, and maternity," he reaffirmed, "need to be implemented alongside the promotion of equality between women and men," as he stressed that the dignity of every woman and girl "must be always at the centre of development efforts and approaches that reduce women to mere instruments of economic or political agendas are to be avoided." Finally, Archbishop Caccia said that in the final five years leading up to the realization of the 2030 Agenda, his Delegation "calls for a renewed commitment to the integral development of every woman and girl."--Vatican News
Scoop
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Richest 1% People Have Enough New Wealth To End Annual Poverty 22 Times Over
Recent funding cuts on health, gender equality and human rights have given a sudden blow to a range of important services for the most underserved communities. But solution is not as simple as suggesting low- and middle-income countries to increase 'domestic investment on health and gender' or find 'innovative ways to financing.' Global North nations have plundered wealth and resources from the Global South. We need redistributive justice and a range of tax reforms keeping people in the Global South central. We need to reform global financial architecture using the foundation of development justice - so to fully fund gender equality and human right to health with equity and justice. Countries in the Global South should not be servicing debt and paying the rich nations but rather investing in delivering on all health, gender and other goals enshrined in SDGs. The latest Oxfam report which was released at 4th UN Financing for Development meet in Seville, Spain, shows that since 2015 the top 1% people in the world have amassed US$ 33.9 Trillion in new wealth which is enough to end annual poverty 22 times over. We need health responses to be fully funded, of course, but we also have to ensure that equity and justice guides us on how we use those resources so that we are able to first serve those farthest behind or most likely to be left behind. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading It is not the absence of science-based tools that has failed the global south on responding to key health epidemics, be it infectious diseases or non-communicable diseases, but deep-rooted inequities and injustices that plague our so-called world order. If we are to deliver on promises enshrined in SDG3 related to HIV and TB and other health issues, we must strengthen competencies and capacities in the Global South – and reduce dependencies on the Global North. Celebrating 25+ years of struggle and leadership of NMP+ Network of Maharashtra People Living with HIV (NMP+) was established over 25 years ago. Since last two decades it champions a social enterprise model to reduce dependency on donor-driven funding for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. Famous German film and TV actress Annabelle Mandeng has been a supporter of movements of people living with HIV and human rights for over two decades now. She has also hosted events like the artists against AIDS gala in Berlin. Speaking at an Affiliated Independent Event organised ahead of 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2025), Annabelle Mandeng said: "When I read about NMP plus, the immortal words of Margaret Mead come to my mind: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Over 50,000 people living with HIV from all gender diversities can live a life of rights and human dignity - thanks to NMP+." Annabelle Mandeng added that "NMP+ has helped people with HIV to care for each other as well as rise collectively to improve HIV responses in their state. Congratulations to Manoj Pardeshi and NMP+ for developing and leveraging social enterprise approaches for the last two decades so that NMP+ can be less dependent on external funding. TAAL+ or a "Treatment, Adherence, Advocacy, Literacy" is a community-run pharmacy based on social enterprise that has been up and running since 2006. TAAL is a shining example today for other civil societies to inspire them to use social enterprise and become self reliant. It is the first ever community-led e pharmacy in India. Over the years, it has transitioned into an integrated healthcare centre as well as managing an online or e-commerce platform since 2023. It offers in-person and online consultation, counselling as well as quality assured and affordable lifesaving medicines for HIV, STI and other co- infections and co-morbidities. Screening for infectious and non-communicable diseases is also provided along with a linkage to care services. Over 3,200 people receive life-saving anti-retroviral therapy along with other care services. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and other HIV prevention tools are also available via TAAL+." Dr Bharat Bhushan Rewari who served at senior levels with Indian government's national AIDS control programme and led the rollout of lifesaving antiretroviral therapy for several years since its beginning on 7 April 2004, said that "World has achieved major progress in its response to HIV/AIDS epidemic with significant reduction in new infections, AIDS-related death and improving lives of people living with HIV. Community has played a big role in this journey especially in empowering people living with HIV and reducing stigma and discrimination. NMP+ is one such organisation which started working for people living with HIV early on (in 2000) when stigma was high and access to treatment was an issue. NMP+ provided a platform for people living with HIV to support each other, and foster self-esteem. Over the years, it has worked tirelessly to uphold dignity and rights of people living with HIV. Their work has helped transform AIDS-related stigma into self-confidence, fear into hope and shame into self-respect. It has worked closely with the government to raise treatment literacy. Today NMP+ proudly stands as a symbol of resilience and a voice for people living with HIV and vulnerable communities." David Bridger, UNAIDS Country Director for India, said: "Today we celebrate 25 years of hard work and progress made possible by NMP+ but at the same time reflect on what we still need to achieve to truly end AIDS as a public health threat. I think today is also really important for us to reflect and recognise that efforts of NMP+ have not only supported people living with HIV, but they have also transformed public health approaches globally. Putting people at the centre is now an approach widely accepted." One of the key brains behind TAAL+ is Manoj Pardeshi - a founding member of NMP+ and also of National Coalition of People Living with HIV in India (NCPI+): "In those initial years, there was no funding. Later donors came but their funding was as per their own respective mandates, while the needs of the community could be different. So we thought of having a separate funding mechanism that would cater to our unmet needs. That is how TAAL became a social entrepreneur model." Manoj shared that two decades ago, they could barely have an action plan for 3 or 6 months and then at most for a year. "We never thought that we would complete 25 years one day." Hope lies in the people, not FfD4 The 4th International Conference on Financing for Development was recently held in Seville, Spain with the intent to reform financing at all levels, including reform of the international financial architecture and to address the financing challenges preventing the investment push for the SDGs. But this meet only served the interest of the rich (and rich nations). It failed to restructure the global economy and financial system, so as to benefit all equitably, including women, girls and all gender diverse peoples. This was said by experts at a recently concluded SHE & Rights session on World Population Day. It looked into women and girls as merely 'economic potentials' for 'economic benefits' without really addressing the fundamental barriers to gender justice, including labour rights, safeguards for corporate abuses and preventing gender-based violence in the workplace. It failed to guarantee long-term, flexible, inclusive, equitable financing for development. The hope lies in the people of the Global South - to hold the North accountable and ensure sustainable development with human rights and justice becomes a reality for all. Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024). She also coordinates SHE & Rights initiative (Sexual health with equity & rights). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Kerala ranks fourth in NITI Aayog's health index
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's public healthcare system has often been a hot topic in development debates across the country and even abroad, and for good reason. However, despite topping in five of the 11 indicators, the state has now been ranked fourth in the NITI Aayog's 'good health and wellbeing index'. Reason: Unscientific thinking against immunisation and institutional deliveries gaining ground in the state, as well as inclusion of three new parameters. Gujarat now holds the top spot in the ranking. NITI Aayog's SDG India Index computes goal-wise scores on 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) for states and union territories (UTs), besides a composite index. One of them, SDG 3 on 'good health and wellbeing', assesses the performance in the health sector. Kerala topped SDG 3 in the first two index reports, but could not find a place even in the top 3 in later editions. However, the state has been retaining the top slot in the composite index — cumulative score of all goals — since the first edition. When Kerala topped the SDG 3 chart in 2018 (the first edition) and 2019-20, it scored 92 and 82 points, respectively, well above the national average. In 2020-21 (third edition), three new indicators were included — suicide rate, accident death rate and out-of-pocket expenditure — and the state plummeted to 12th position with a score of 72 points, below the national average of 74. Gujarat stood first with a score of 86. In the fourth and latest edition (2023-24), Kerala improved its score to 80 surpassing the national average of 77. However, it had to settle for fourth place in the country. Gujarat retained the top slot with a score of 90. It was followed by Maharashtra and Uttarakhand (84) and Himachal Pradesh (83). Karnataka shared the fourth spot with Kerala.
