Significant progress has been made worldwide to reduce maternal and child mortality over the last 20 years, but global trends often mask significant disparities in maternal, child, and newborn health (MNCH) outcomes. Seventy percent of maternal deaths and 57 percent of under-five deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Though sub-Saharan Africa has a strong foundation of regional frameworks and campaigns to build upon, implementation remains uneven and commitments alone are not enough to drive impact. Without urgent and coordinated action to hold leaders accountable for their commitments, millions of these preventable deaths will persist.

Responding to the urgency of this moment, PATH facilitated a collaborative process to develop a regional advocacy strategy to unite institutions and communities under a shared plan for MNCH advocacy in Africa. Co-created with the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, PMNCH, EWENE Advocacy & Accountability Working Group, various ministries of health, Child Survival Action, and many other civil society stakeholders, this strategy aims to inspire political commitment, mobilize resources and investments in MNCH, align regional voices, and accelerate progress for the women and children living in the communities most impacted by these disparities.