“The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened existing inequalities between women and men in almost all areas of life, both in Europe and beyond, and has reminded us of the crucial role of gender in health programming. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, one of the largest public health programs in history, has spearhead incredible efforts to mainstream gender in its programming. In this final step towards polio eradication, we must continue to support gender mainstreaming and we must not ignore gender-related barriers to vaccination. Spain is proud to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and its commitment towards gender equality.”

I commit to:

• Take part in an annual dialogue, event and/or briefing in Spain or abroad until 2023, with members of the diplomatic community and/or governments’ representatives to expand the conversation around gender equality and health and to raise awareness on gender related barriers to immunization and polio eradication.
• Actively promote and give visibility to the GPEI Gender Equality Strategy through social media

The UK is proud to be at the forefront of the fight against polio helping children around the world live happier, healthier lives free from the debilitating disease. As the global health community rallies together to reach the final stage of polio eradication, we recognize the important role of gender in delivering health services including vaccination. Gender related barriers to immunization must be tackled if we want to lead the final push to make polio history. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is doing groundbreaking work to apply a gender lens in its programming at all levels and I am proud to support a polio-free world.

I support the GPEI Gender Equality Strategy 2019-2023 as a concrete effort to highlight the role of gender in polio eradication.

I commit to:

• Use social media to highlight the role of women at the forefront of polio eradication and to raise awareness on the need to increase women’s representation in leadership roles
• Take part in at least one annual high-level event or discussion on gender and immunization in the UK or abroad to raise awareness on the importance to address gender-related barriers to immunization including in polio eradication

“The road to gender equality is a long and winding one, but we can design faster and more effective ways to travel it together. If we are to achieve Global Goals for development and eliminate extreme poverty we must tackle inequalities, especially those affecting women. Gender equality is vital to achieving more effective and sustainable results in polio eradication.”

I support the GPEI Gender Equality Strategy 2019-2023 as a concrete effort to highlight the role of gender in polio eradication.

I commit to:

• Participate in at least two gender equality events every year until 2023 in Spain and/or abroad, raising awareness of gender barriers in health delivery, including immunization and polio programs
•  Actively promote and give visibility to the GPEI Gender Equality Strategy through social media

The UK envisions a world safe and secure from global health threats posed by infectious diseases, but until every strain of polio is eradicated worldwide, no child is safe. The UK is at the forefront to support countries to deliver routine immunization and reach underserved zero-dose children. I am proud of the role UK aid plays, supporting over 450 million polio vaccinations a year.

Women are absolutely critical to the success of the polio programme; polio eradication will not be achieved unless we redouble our efforts to ensure women’s participation is maximized and that the polio programme connects with women in polio-affected communities. Beyond polio, this has the potential to provide women with greater social and economic opportunities. We need actions not just words, and I pledge to use my role to ensure that together we tackle gender-related barriers.  Investing in disaggregating and analysing data by gender will be key, as will be ensuring close attention is paid to the protection and empowerment of frontline polio workers.

I support the GPEI Gender Equality Strategy as a concrete effort to highlight the role of gender in polio eradication.

I commit to:

• Use social media channels to raise awareness of the role of women in the fight against polio
• Hold an annual FCDO event to celebrate women in the frontline of tackling polio.

The Australian Government is proud to announce its continued commitment to achieve a world free of polio. In doing so, we recognize the crucial role that women play at all levels in eradicating polio. We all must commit to working toward a world where women and children are free from discrimination, and the GPEI’s Gender Equality Strategy is a concrete step to reach gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

I support the GPEI Gender Strategy as a concrete effort to highlight the role of gender in polio eradication.

I commit to:

• Advocate for women’s full and meaningful participation and leadership at all levels of the polio programme.
• Recognise the vital role of women as front line workers in the fight against polio in my engagement with partner governments and highlight the support they need to carry out their vital work safely and effectively.