On this occasion of International Women's Day we have the opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the goal of gender equality. Going by the recently rolled out Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, the UN’s commitment to men and women everywhere is to 'Step It Up for Gender Equality' and achieve equal social status for all by 2030. WHO has an important role to play in achieving this. Gender inequality affect health outcomes and inequalities in health and health care arise from unfair gender relations.
This is especially true in the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Region, where women continue to face social and economic inequality. In 2015 approximately 61 000 women across South-East Asia died while giving birth, while the Region claimed the world’s third-highest maternal mortality rate of 164 deaths for every 100 000 live births. Gaps in access to reproductive and sexual health services – including family planning – are prevalent. Approximately 38% of women in the Region experience gender-based violence at least once in their lifetime. Ingrained social roles, meanwhile, mean women account for the bulk of the 1.6 million annual deaths from household air pollution. Tragically, due to the economic structure of many households, investing in the health of a woman or girl child is often overlooked in favour of other priorities.
Multisectoral action is needed to tackle these problems. We know, for example, that empowered women bring new perspectives to decision-making along with increased opportunities in education and employment for the next generation. Similarly, when women have access to education, new technologies, finances and markets, they are likely to contribute to growth and development. While advances in women’s social and economic circumstances have a positive impact on their health, advances in their health contributes to an elevation of their social and economic status. This is a “virtuous circle” that WHO SEARO is working to reinforce.
Achieving universal health coverage is one of the most effective ways the health system can promote gender equality, and is a flagship priority for the WHO South-East Asia Region. Universal health coverage mitigates economic and physical barriers to accessing care and enhances women’s ability to make effective choices while also conferring benefits on the whole of society. WHO SEARO is also working with Member States and partner agencies across the Region to strengthen and increase the provision of health services tailored to women’s needs. This includes, for example, reproductive
and sexual health services and breast cancer screening. At the same time, health systems are being sensitized to issues related to gender-based violence, and are being encouraged to establish links with the community and women’s groups to ensure access to appropriate services.
A lot is being done, and there has been considerable progress. Still, let us remember that progress does not mean success. We have a long way to go. In our endeavours towards a ‘Planet 50/50’ to achieve gender equality by 2030, lets us move from commitment to action. I urge you all to reiterate your commitment to gender equality, and to integrate gender concerns in all aspects of your work.