E/2010/27 E/CN.6/2010/11 aspects of life, the full enjoyment of their human rights and their ability to reach their full potential, 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 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 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, Recognizing the need for greater coordination, global cooperation and commitment to achieving universal access to health services for women and children through a primary health-care approach and evidence-based interventions and to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity, including through the provision of sexual and reproductive health-care services, including family planning services, in line with the Beijing Platform for Action, 65 and the Cairo Programme of Action, 66 Recognizing also that the unacceptably high global rates of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity are health, development and human rights challenges and recognizing further that such high rates are directly related to poverty, the presence of persistent gender inequalities, including inequitable and unequal access to adequate health services and facilities, gender-based violence, harmful traditional practices, lack of education, lack of economic opportunity, lack of participation in decision-making and multiple forms of discrimination, Recognizing further that early pregnancy and early childbearing present a much higher risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery as well as maternal mortality and morbidity and deeply concerned that early childbearing and limited access to the highest attainable standard of health, including sexual and reproductive health, cause high levels of obstetric fistula and other maternal morbidities as well as maternal mortality, 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 the commitment to strengthen health systems that deliver equitable health outcomes, Expressing concern about the slow pace of progress in improving maternal, newborn and child health and the inadequate resources for their health, and noting the growing inequalities between and within Member States, the lack of appreciation __________________ 65 66 28 Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4-15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap. I, resolution 1, annex II, paras. 106-108. Report of the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution 1, annex, paras. 8.19-8.27. 10-30576