Using advocacy and data to strengthen political accountability in maternal and newborn health in Africa

Publication date: Available online 15 October 2016 Source:International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics Author(s): Petra ten Hoope-Bender, Adriane Martin Hilber, Andrea Nove, Sarah Bandali, Sara Nam, Corinne Armstrong, Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed, Mathias G. Chatuluka, Moke Magoma, Louise Hulton Accountability mechanisms help governments and development partners fulfill the promises and commitments they make to global initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals and the Global Strategy on Women’s and Children’s health, and regional or national strategies such as the Campaign for the Accelerated Reduction in Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA). But without directed pressure, comparative data and tools to provide insight into successes, failures, and overall results, accountability fails. The analysis of accountability mechanisms in five countries supported by the Evidence for Action program shows that accountability is most effective when it is connected across global and national levels; civil society has a central and independent role; proactive, immediate and targeted implementation mechanisms are funded from the start; advocacy for accountability is combined with local outreach activities such as blood drives; local and national champions (Presidents, First Ladies, Ministers) help draw public attention to government performance; scorecards are developed to provide insight into performance and highlight necessary improvements; and politicians a...

Source: International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics - October 28, 2016 Category: OBGYN Source Type: research