Mental Health Europe press release on the occasion of Women’s day
Gender and Women’s Health
The Department of Gender and Women Health (GWH), within WHO, recognises that socio-cultural factors such as gender affect the health of both men and women, however places emphasis on the health consequences of discrimination against women that exist in nearly every culture. According to WHO, poverty, unequal power relationships between men and women, and lack of education pose barriers for millions of women worldwide from having access to health care and from attaining, and maintaining,the best possible health.
Many health professionals believe that gender inequalities have led to a systematic devaluing and neglect of women’s health (WHO).
For more information regarding how socio-cultural gender issues affect the health of men and women, please visit the GWH website.
Gender equality, work and health
The new WHO publication on Gender equality, work and health: A review of the evidence, reviews gender issues in research, policies and programmes on work and health. It addresses the types of jobs women undertake, how women deal with the demands of work and family, and biological differences between women and men in relation to hazards in the workplace. Health implications of sex and gender differences are explored in terms of:
compensation for occupational health problems in the industrialized world;
occupational health problems of women in low-income countries; and
specific problems for men
Globally, Women undertake both formal and informal work. In order to provide for themselves as well as their families they employ a variety of strategies, some of which can prove dangerous for their health. The WHO review highlights the need to strengthen and increase programmes and practices that ensure women’s health and safety at work, while facilitating their access to economic and social equality.
Recommendations for legislation and policy are provided in the review.
Related articles:
The effects of health care reforms on gender equity: widening the gender gap?
Quantifying the Gender Gap
8 March 2006: calling for a gender specific EU strategy on children’s well being
