The World Health Organization (WHO) led a global campaign on maternal and newborn health to mark World Health Day 2025, focusing on the theme of “Healthier beginnings, hopeful futures.” Over 100 WHO offices around the world organized advocacy actions in partnership with governments, communities, health workers, donors, and civil society organizations to highlight the importance of protecting maternal and newborn healthcare services, which are increasingly under threat due to funding challenges.
Key actions took place across the African Region, including events in Angola, Burundi, Chad, and Guinea, which involved a combination of media campaigns, community health check-ups, and official celebrations. Notably, Angola launched a Facebook live event in collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA, while the Central African Republic hosted a presidential celebration for a maternal health roadmap.
In the Americas, WHO’s efforts ranged from Belize’s media breakfast to Colombia’s midwifery panel, and Cuba’s celebration of zero maternal deaths in Villa Clara. Other countries like Haiti and Guyana emphasized health fairs and social media outreach.
The Eastern Mediterranean Region also participated with initiatives such as Bahrain’s joint UN-Ministry of Health events, Iraq’s comprehensive Health Week, and Tunisia’s bilingual media campaign. In the European Region, nations like Bulgaria and Serbia highlighted the importance of maternal health through local media, while WHO’s South-East Asia Region celebrated with regional webinars and district-level activities in countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The Western Pacific Region saw events in countries such as Cambodia and China, which included virtual gatherings and government-backed health initiatives. These global actions reflect the urgency of WHO’s message to address maternal and newborn health, especially in the face of rising threats to healthcare funding.
World Health Day 2025 also marked WHO’s 77th anniversary and launched a year-long campaign urging governments and health communities worldwide to prioritize maternal and newborn health, aiming to end preventable deaths and improve women’s long-term health and well-being.
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