Comprehensive sex education is about more than sexual health. In South Asia, educating boys about consent, communication, reproductive health, gender equality and respectful relationships can help challenge harmful gender norms and contribute to healthier families and more equitable societies.

Two years into COVID-19, Dr Sunoor Verma reflects on what the pandemic revealed about global health governance, health systems, leadership, WHO, regional cooperation and the unequal relationship between high- and low-income countries.

COVID-19 exposed critical weaknesses in health systems across low-income countries, raising difficult questions about privatisation, public-sector capacity, regulation, transparency and the future of universal health coverage.

The World Health Organization plays a critical role in generating health intelligence, technical guidance and global coordination, but it cannot act as the world’s health “nanny.” This article examines WHO’s role during COVID-19 and why governments, ministries and other organisations must take responsibility for adapting and implementing global health guidance.