Health, Policy and Literacy of the UN System: Walking the Talk Lazeena Muna-McQuay, Ph.D. UN Cares Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific UNFPA. Bangkok, Thailand

Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3.1By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births 3.2By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births 3.3By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases 3.4By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3.5Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol 3.6By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents 3.7By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes 3.8Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 3.9By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination 3.aStrengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate 3.bSupport the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non- communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to medicines for all 3.cSubstantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States 3.dStrengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks

Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes.

Reproductive Rights include Human Rights, and comes with its challenges.

Rights + Development The 5 pillar Breakdown DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS HEALTH PLACE & MOBILITY GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY SUSTAINABILITY

Increase in understanding on Stigma and Discrimination ( following learning and training activities )

Quote from the UN Secretary General “HIV is no longer a death sentence—so long as it is diagnosed and treated. Sadly, the stigma and discrimination that surround HIV are so pervasive that people—including in our own workplace— avoid testing and remain untreated. The Stigma Fuels HIV campaign is an effort to practice within our own organization what we consistently ask of others. I encourage everyone to join so that we can free our workplaces—and our lives—of the prejudice that has been such an obstacle in the global response to AIDS. Making a difference starts with us— today.” UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon Quote disseminated globally by the Stigma Fuels HIV campaign.

At the UN, discrimination is any unfair treatment or arbitrary distinction based on a person’s race, sex, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, language, social origin or other status. Discrimination may be an isolated event affecting one person or a group of persons similarly situated, or may manifest itself through harassment or abuse of authority. All forms of discrimination are prohibited. From: “Putting Ethics to Work. A guide for UN Staff”, 2012

UN For All: Dignity and Inclusion in Our Workplace Expected Outcomes better understand how to be more inclusive of all colleagues; effectively interact with all the UN’s working partners and stakeholders; and able to support our global vision of Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination, and Zero AIDS-related deaths, as well as global efforts related to human rights and decent work.

Content UN for All: Dignity and Inclusion in our Workplace (Core Module) Disability Sexual orientation and gender identity, and Substance Use

Key Messages Human rights: Human rights are universal, to be enjoyed by all. As UN personnel, we cannot discriminate. Stigma and discrimination: Ending stigma and discrimination against UN employees is a job for the whole UN system. UN Expectations of personnel: As mandated by UN principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. the UN workplace should be free of stigma and discrimination UN personnel are expected to treat all colleagues and stakeholders with dignity and respect, regardless of personal beliefs.

Learning Objectives Acknowledge that we all have unconscious biases. Choose and use language that is inclusive of all people who work in the UN system and their families. Affirm that, as an employer, the United Nations system expects each of its employees to contribute to the universal implementation of human rights, both inside and outside the UN system. Relate to how stigma and discrimination in the UN system based on sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, mental health status or substance use negatively impacts our colleagues, our working environment and our productivity. Commit to personal actions and recommend collective measures to ensure a more inclusive workplace for all UN system personnel and their families.

Endorsement from Senior UN Leaders “These interactive modules will help all UN system staff members, whatever their background, to understand how to be more inclusive of all colleagues, and, ultimately, how to interact with all the UN's working partners and stakeholders. They support our global vision of Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination, and Zero AIDS-related deaths, as well as global efforts related to human rights and decent work." Helen Clark, UNDG Chair; Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. (A joint letter, 14 August)

Resources to roll out UN For All UN for All Training of the Facilitators took place in 7 regional bases namely: Bangkok, Dakar, Accra, Panama City, Almaty, Jamaica. A pool of facilitators/resource people are trained. 250 UN staff representing 15 plus UN agencies from 70 plus countries are trained.

Paving the path… Committing to a world, more conscious of the human rights principles. Health literacy in the workplace must be supported by policy, encouraged by managerial commitment, and nourished by an environment of learning society.

Thank You!