'A group frankly biased towards women': WHO round table on MDG5.

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On 25 September, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, convened a gathering of women leaders to examine the stubborn issues of maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health. The Round Table with Women Leaders on MDG 5 took place in the context of the High-Level Event on the MDGs at the UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting aimed to build a wider constituency and increased awareness of health issues related to MDG 5, the improvement of maternal health. During a rich discussion they agreed on the need to act and on the fact that stand-alone solutions will not effectively stop mothers and babies from dying. The First Lady of Burkina Faso, Mrs Chantal Compaore, said: "Alliances have to be forged with mothers and their families, with midwives and nurses, and with civil society".

The Director-General said: "How pleased I am to be part of a group that is so frankly biased towards women! This is a bias that recognizes the leadership in this room, and this is a bias that recognizes the huge...