G8

The first day of the G8 Summit answered some of the questions advocates have raised about Canada’s signature G8 initiative, The Muskoka Initiative for maternal and child health. But important gaps remain.

Civil society organizations from across Canada and six continents today invited an additional 1,744,128 people to the G8 and G0 negotiating tables. More than a dozen civil society networks brought petitions signed by almost 2 million individuals from around the world conveying the message to global leaders that it’s time for action.

The G8 must commit new resources for maternal, newborn and child health, including all reproductive health services. Integrated sexual and reproductive health services have been proven to be cost-effective and to save lives.

From Florida to Wisconsin, a brief follow up to all of the roundup stories posted earlier this week. And a Mother's Day mini roundup with an extra geeky treat.

In response to severe criticism of its rejection of family planning as part of global maternal health programs, Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper now says that the "door is not closed" on providing contraception. 

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson

The Canadian government is excluding family planning from its initiative to save the lives and improve the health of mothers in poor countries. One small problem: You can't address maternal mortality without family planning.

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson