Kenya's First Lady Margaret Kenyatta on Friday called for increased efforts to reduce maternal and early childhood deaths to beyond zero.

Margaret, who was named the United Nations in Kenya Person of the Year 2014, said concerted efforts are needed to ensure that every birth remained a promise for a better and brighter future.

"For too long, the prospect of childbirth in Kenya to thousands of women has been tantamount to a death sentence. This is not acceptable. It must stop," she added in Nairobi when she received the award.

Margaret earned the coveted title for her efforts to stop preventable maternal and newborn deaths in the country through her "Beyond Zero" campaign to ensure that "No woman should die while giving life."

She received a standing ovation as she was presented with the United Nations plaque at a ceremony marked with pomp and color at the UN offices in Nairobi during the 69th United Nations Day. Margaret was selected for successfully raising awareness and funds to address the plight of women and children in need of quality healthcare.

This is the 13th time the UN Family in Kenya has collectively honored an individual or institution as part of its celebrations of UN Day, which is held every year on Oct. 24 when the organization was initially established.

Previous winners have included Lady Justice Njoki Ndung'u who is now the Supreme Court judge, and Abbas Gullet, the secretary- general of the Kenya Red Cross Society.

This year's runner-up is Fanis Lisiagali, for her efforts and commitment to creating a rapid response system for survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV). The winners are selected based on their commitment towards achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The MDGs are a set of achievable development targets, which all Member States of the United Nations have pledged to meet by 2015. The First Lady's campaign resonates well with the MDGs numbers 4 and 5 and in keeping with the ideals of the UN.

Margaret dedicated the award to Kenyan men and women for supporting her fight to reduce maternal and early childhood deaths. She said childbirth should be a joyous moment for families and communities and not a period of loss and mourning.

Through her "Beyond Zero" Campaign, the First Lady has demonstrated that public-private partnerships can go a long way in supporting improvement of the health status of women and children. She has since early this year been leading the campaign that targets the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality.

Margaret pledged her commitment to ensuring that each of the 47 counties has a fully-equipped mobile clinic to ensure no "more women die while giving life and no more babies die from preventable causes." Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)