Through our work on WASH and SRHR, our focus on women and girls, and the different strategies that we use in our programmes, Simavi addresses several of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs have been formulated by the United Nations as the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The targets are to be delivered by 2030, with a firm emphasis on where to add value. The SDGs provide the opportunity for Simavi to position its work on a global scale and on the 2030 agenda. Of the 17 goals, we contribute directly to four of them.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
As stated in the SDG 2018 report, many more people today are living healthier lives than in the past decade. Nevertheless, people are still suffering needlessly from preventable diseases and too many are dying prematurely. Overcoming disease and ill health will require concerted and sustained efforts, focusing on population groups and regions that have been neglected. It is Simavi’s mission to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all. In taking a holistic approach, and making sure we leave no one behind, we contribute directly to this goal.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
According to the United Nations gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. Simavi strongly believes that societies will benefit from providing women and girls with equal access to education, healthcare, work and representation in political and economic decision-making processes. Simavi strives to ensure that women and men have the same opportunities, rights and responsibilities in all areas of life.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
The United Nations states that access to safe water and sanitation are essential to human health and to environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. Simavi shares this view and works to improve drinking water sources and sanitation facilities – always with an eye to good hygiene, education and awareness raising.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
As Simavi believes that the SDGs can only be achieved by working in strong and meaningful partnerships, all our implemented programmes are collaborations with partner organisations worldwide. Simavi strengthens its partners by building their capacity, improving their communication and advocacy skills and sharing knowledge. Partnerships also provide excellent vehicles for Simavi to develop new and innovative opportunities and techniques, by working together with innovation labs, universities, commercial brands and other research institutions. Simavi stands for working together, for sharing expertise, technology and financial support, and for combining goals in programme implementation.
Contributing more
The 17 SDGs are all interlinked, meaning that failure to reach one goal could significantly impact our ability to reach another, and also that contributing to one creates opportunities for different development areas. There is a strong link between our work and the objectives defined in the SDG 1 (no poverty) and 10 (reduced inequality). Our work towards a healthy life for all, our multi-stakeholder approach and our focus on SRHR and WASH expertise areas all contribute to achieving the targets that have been set for no poverty and reduced inequalities.