By Aminu Magashi Garba
Today April 24, 2017 marks a historic moment as the Global Financing Facility (GFF) for Every Woman Every Child Investors Group unanimously approved the Civil Societies’ Engagement Strategy that will support to roll out implementation of activities that will strengthen the participation of CSOs at global, regional and country level in GFF. It took place during the 5th GFF Investors Group Meeting at Willard Intercontinental Hotel, Washington, D.C
The meeting objectives were;
- Update members on country progress and portfolio overview
- Examination of efficiency in the context of health financing
- Insight into country implementation of efficiency approaches
- Approval of the CSO Engagement Strategy
- Approval of Resource Mobilization Strategy and review of Governance Issues
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Chris Elias President of Global Development Program, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and hosted by GFF Secretariat led by Dr Mariam Claeson, GFF Director. In attendance were representatives from Canada, Ethiopia, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Norway, Senegal, UK, USA, GAVI, Global Fund, BMGF, Office of the United Nations Secretary General, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, PMNCH, World Bank, Africa Health Budget Network, JHPIEGO/Advance Family Planning, Population Council, Plan International, EWEC Innovation Working Group and Global Head of Government Affairs Business to Government Royal Philips
Aminu Magashi Garba made the presentation of the CSOs engagement strategy on behalf of CSOs supported by Angela Mutunga. A motion for approval was called by Dr. Ruth Kagia Senior Advisor to the President of Kenya after series of questions, observations and comments by IG members and unanimously IG members approved the strategy and called on the civil societies’ representatives to the IG to revise the documents based on responses and report back after 6 months during the 6 GFF IG Meeting.
Notable comment during the session came from Dr. Flavia Bustreo Assistant Director General, Family, Women’s and Children’s Health World Health Organization “CSOs have always demonstrated tremendous value that we cherish, I suggest we endorse and approve the strategy while we continue the iteration overtime”.
