……says about 500m people still lack access to basic health, education
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on Tuesday launched its 3rd Annual Goalkeepers Data Report, which reflected that while progress on health and development continues unabated, global inequality remains a major barrier to achieving the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Goalkeepers Data Report is the Foundation’s campaign to accelerate progress towards the SDGs (Global Goals).
The Foundation is optimistic that by sharing stories and data behind the Global Goals through events and an annual report, it will inspire a new generation of leaders – Goalkeepers – who raise awareness of progress, hold their leaders accountable, and drive action to achieve the Global Goals.
The report indicated that even in the worst-off parts of low- and low-middle-income countries, more than 99 percent of communities had seen an improvement in child mortality and schooling.
It noted, however, that despite this progress, persistent gaps in opportunity meant that nearly half a billion people, about one in 15, still do not have access to basic health and education.
The Foundation reported further that gaps between countries, districts, and boys and girls proved that the world’s investments in development were not reaching everyone.
Using new sub-national data, the report also uncovered the vast inequalities within countries that are masked by averages.
According to the report findings, where a person is born is still the biggest predictor of his future, and no matter where a person is born, life is harder if one is a girl.
The report stated further that despite gains in female educational attainment, opportunities for girls were still limited by social norms, discriminatory laws and policies, and gender-based violence.
Bill and Melinda Gates write in the Goalkeepers Data Report “Examining Inequality 2019,” which they co-authored: “As we write, billions of people are projected to miss the targets that we all agreed represent a decent life.
“We believe that seeing where the world is succeeding will inspire leaders to do more, and seeing where the world is falling short will focus their attention”, they added.
The report stated that to address persistent inequality, Bill and Melinda Gates called for a new approach to development, targeting the poorest people in the countries and districts that need to make up the most ground.
In addition, they advised governments to prioritize primary health care to deliver a health system that works for the poorest, digital governance to ensure that governments are responsive to their least-empowered citizens, and more support for farmers to help them adapt to climate change’s worst effects.
The Foundation plans to produce a Goalkeepers Data Report every year through 2030.
The report is designed to track progress in achieving the Global Goals, highlight examples of success, and inspire leaders around the world to accelerate their efforts. The goal is to identify both what’s working and where we’re falling short.
As in past years, in conjunction with the report, Bill and Melinda Gates will co-host the third annual Goalkeepers events in New York City during the U.N. General Assembly, convening global leaders to celebrate progress in global health and development and highlight the critical importance of closing the global inequality gap to achieve the Global Goals.
