As the world marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Women – a landmark blueprint for gender equality – progress remains frustratingly slow. If we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, we must place women at the centre of global health transformation.
Well-functioning health systems are the foundation of gender equality. When health care is accessible, equitable, and responsive, women and girls in all their diversity can live healthier lives and have equal opportunities beyond health.
Women have distinct and sometimes changing health needs at different stages of their lives. These include reproductive and maternal health, mental health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), ageing, and other critical health concerns. Yet, systemic barriers continue to place women at higher health risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Consider household air pollution - an issue disproportionately affecting women. Women exposed to harmful pollutants from household fuels face a 46% higher risk of developing cataracts compared to those unexposed. NCDs further exacerbate gendered health disparities: two out of three women die from NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory conditions, with most deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Violence against women remains a global crisis, severely impacting their health and well-being. One in three women worldwide experiences physical or sexual violence, and the health-care sector itself is not immune. Nearly a quarter of all workplace violence occurs in health and care settings, with women disproportionately affected. Additionally, social determinants such as income, education, and nutrition further widen the health gap for women and girls. Alarmingly, malnutrition among pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and adolescent girls has surged by 25% since 2020 in the 12 countries hardest hit by the global food and nutrition crisis, affecting 6.9 million women and girls.
Ageing is another critical issue. While women generally live five years longer than men, they spend more of those years in poor health due to higher morbidity rates . This underscores the urgent need for gender-responsive health care that enhances not just longevity but overall quality of life.
The biggest opportunity for change lies in the very workforce that drives healthcare forward. Women are the backbone of the global health and care workforce, yet their contributions often go unrecognized and undervalued . The world faces a projected shortfall of 11.1 million health workers by 2030 . Women, making up 67% of this workforce , are set to bridge this gap, leading to advancements in care, innovation, and policy transformation. Yet, they encounter obstacles, such as earning 24 percent less than men , even after accounting for factors such as experience and education. Pay gaps are even wider for mothers and women from marginalized backgrounds. However, this is not inevitable, as there are many effective policies that support the rights , equality and empowerment of this crucial workforce.
To create truly equitable and effective health systems, women must be at the forefront - not just as caregivers but as leaders and decision-makers. Their leadership can drive systemic change, from advancing gender-responsive policies to securing investments in women's health research. WHO reaffirms its commitment to championing these efforts, pushing for policies, funding, and research that ensure meaningful and lasting impact.
Health is a crucial step on the road to gender equality. To achieve this, health systems must prioritize women's and girls' health needs and their full participation in the workforce. By creating opportunities for women to participate equally at every level, including in decision making, we can transform health systems, bridge gender gaps, and build a healthier, more equitable world. Now is the time to turn the commitments of the Beijing Declaration into action and ensure that both women's health needs and their advancement in the workforce drive lasting, transformative change.
