A/HRC/42/24 C. Discrimination and inequality 62. Experts highlighted the need to view discrimination and inequality within the broader context of the backlash against women’s rights and gender equality around the world, including in discourse, practices and funding. Addressing this broader context also requires attention to the intersections of national security, sexism, racism and populism and their impact on the individual person either displaced by or remaining in a humanitarian setting. 63. In this same context, experts also highlighted the importance of addressing discrimination throughout the different stages of an emergency and how this impacts enjoyment by women and girls of their sexual and reproductive health and rights. An understanding of pre-existing discrimination and inequality, driven by social norms and power structures and often exacerbated when crisis hits, is required to design effective interventions. A human rights lens and analysis reveals this dimension. 64. Further, experts observed that in humanitarian settings, affected populations are often framed as a homogeneous group when in fact there is a need to zoom in on the individuals. When it comes to preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, within these “population groups” one can identify women and girls who are particularly at risk of being discriminated against and left behind. In this context, gender-based discrimination intersects with discrimination on other grounds related to, among other things, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, health status, ethnicity, nationality, caste, poverty, urban/rural residence, refugee/migrant/internally displaced status and sex work, and whether one was a victim of gender-based violence, a victim of trauma, living inside/outside camp settings, displaced/not displaced and an established/new arrival. 65. Experts also shared examples of maternal deaths attributed to denial of care because of status, caste, ethnicity and an inability to pay. This can also inadvertently be reinforced by siloed programmatic distinctions and framings. Experts therefore highlighted the importance of paying specific attention to individuals of diverse population groups and ensuring accountability to them, including through full transparency and meaningful participation in decisions concerning by whom, to whom, when and where assistance is provided, and of what kind. Awareness should be raised to help women, authorities and providers understand that access to services is a matter of rights, not a favour. 66. Experts also raised the need for political will on the part of States in certain cases of emergency to address preventable maternal mortality and morbidity of all affected populations. In cases highlighted by experts, the State receiving refugees was primarily concerned with its host communities and the risk of disease outbreaks. This led to the prioritization of vaccinations and water and sanitation services to refugees, rather than a focus on their sexual and reproductive health and rights. Moreover, differential treatment and access to sexual and reproductive health services for host communities and for refugees and migrants is common. 67. It was emphasized that the situation of adolescent girls and boys in humanitarian responses was often overlooked, with adverse impacts on effective protection of their rights, including access to and information or awareness of sexual and reproductive health services. This is also reflected in investment and funding often being the least for adolescents and their sexual and reproductive health and rights, including for their participation in decisions on service provision. Good practice initiatives shared included youth centres staffed with psychologists, nurses and other professionals in urban settings to reach refugee and migrant adolescents, raise awareness of their sexual and reproductive health and effectively refer them to services. D. Sustainability and international cooperation and assistance 68. Experts agreed on the critical importance of transition as soon as possible from the Minimum Initial Service Package to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services in order to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity. As noted above, experts expressed a need to devote attention and resources to rebuilding and reinforcing an existing 12