E/2012/27 E/CN.6/2012/16 reproductive health-care services, including family planning, access to contraception methods and HIV prevention, Noting with concern that maternal and child health is inextricably linked to the risk of non-communicable diseases and associated risk factors, specifically given that prenatal malnutrition and low birth weight create a predisposition to obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes later in life and that conditions such as maternal obesity and gestational diabetes are also associated with an increased risk of contracting non-communicable diseases, Acknowledging that cervical cancer kills around 250,000 women each year, many of childbearing age, and that the vast majority of the deaths and suffering could be averted with highly effective and low-cost screen and treat approaches and through vaccination against the human papilloma virus, Acknowledging also that failure to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity is among the most significant barriers to the empowerment of women and girls in all aspects of life, the full enjoyment of their human rights and their ability to reach their full potential, Recognizing that in armed conflict and post-conflict situations, women’s reproductive health is subject to particular risks and that sexual violence and rape often contribute to exceptionally high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality, Noting that health services are needed to protect and enhance the well-being of both rural and urban populations affected and displaced by crises and conflicts and to reduce and prevent maternal mortality and morbidity, including by providing family planning and caring for those who are victims of all forms of violence, Emphasizing the role of education and health literacy in improving health outcomes over a lifetime, and expressing concern about the high dropout rate, especially of girls in secondary education, Recognizing the need to ensure women’s and girls’ right to education at all levels, as well as sex education based on full and accurate information in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of girls and boys, and with appropriate direction and guidance, Reaffirming its commitment to the equal participation of women and men in public and political life as a key element in women’s and men’s equal participation in eliminating preventable maternal mortality and morbidity as well as in decisionmaking when defining policies and strategies in that regard, Reaffirming also that gender equality, the empowerment of women and the elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity cannot be achieved without promoting and protecting the right of women to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, including sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, and reaffirming that expanding access to sexual and reproductive health information and health services is essential for achieving the Beijing Platform for Action, the Cairo Programme of Action and the Millennium Development Goals and is crucial for achieving gender equality, the empowerment of women and the full enjoyment by women of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, Recognizing the need for greater coordination and commitment to improving access to health services for women and children through a primary health-care 16 12-27405