On 8 September 2026, CeHDI and the South Centre convened the Ambassadorial Dialogue on Advancing the Right to Health and Global Health Equity through the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva. Ambassadors, diplomats and experts discussed how the UPR can move beyond reporting to strengthen action and accountability on the right to health, particularly for women and girls. The dialogue highlighted the need to integrate UPR recommendations into national health policies, budgets, legislation and programmes. Participants also called for more specific and implementable recommendations, stronger country capacity and greater cooperation among Global South countries. CeHDI presented research examining the relationship between maternal health related UPR recommendations and health outcomes across 89 countries, as well as the Health and Rights Observatory. The South Centre presented its Toolkit on Advancing the Rights of Women and Girls to the Highest Attainable Standard of Health, which supports stronger recommendations, implementation and follow up. Read the event summary, access the presentations and watch the full recording: bit.ly/4ihg4ME #RightToHealth #UPR #HealthEquity #HealthDiplomacy #GlobalSouth #CeHDI

As Eswatini prepares for its fourth Universal Periodic Review cycle, CeHDI’s country profile highlights both progress and continuing gaps in the realisation of the right to health. Eswatini has reduced its maternal mortality ratio substantially from an estimated 361 per 100,000 in 2000 to 118 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023; however, it remains around 70% above the 2030 SDG target. Across its first three UPR cycles, 135 of 542 recommendations received by Eswatini (24.9%) related to health and its underlying determinants. Recommendations on HIV/AIDS received near-universal support, while progress has also been made on reproductive health, including clarification of abortion access within existing legal provisions. Broader sexual and reproductive health rights remain an area of ongoing domestic consideration. Health-system capacity also remains a key challenge. Human Rights Watch reported chronic shortages of essential medicines and staff in public hospitals in 2025, while UNFPA has identified shortages of critical maternal health supplies and infrastructure constraints as challenges affecting the quality and timely delivery of maternal care. Gaps in access to adequate maternal and sexual and reproductive health services are particularly relevant for adolescent girls, who accounted for 17% of maternal deaths in 2022. As Eswatini prepares for its fourth UPR cycle, these trends highlight key areas for consideration in the upcoming review, particularly maternal health, sexual and reproductive health, and health-systems capacity. CeHDI encourages constructive engagement on these priorities to uphold and advance the right to health for women and girls in Eswatini. Explore CeHDI’s UPR resources hub:  cehdi.org/upr-resources #Eswatini #UPR #MaternalHealth #SRHR #RightToHealth #GlobalHealth #CeHDI Human Rights Watch, World Report 2026: Eswatini hrw.org/world-report/2026/co… UNFPA Eswatini, National Context. eswatini.unfpa.org/en/nation…