International Women’s Day: A Call to Action for Rights, Equality, and Empowerment
Observed annually on March 8th, International Women’s Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the pressing issues affecting women around the globe.
This Year’s Focus: Empowering Women and Girls
The theme for this year, ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’, emphasizes the need for actions that ensure equal rights, power, and opportunities for every woman and girl, paving the way for a future where no one is overlooked. Central to this vision is the empowerment of youth, especially young women and adolescent girls. Notably, this year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, regarded as the most progressive and widely supported framework for advancing women’s and girls’ rights around the world.
Understanding the Connection Between Society and Women’s Health
In South-East Asia, we acknowledge that the progress and well-being of our communities are fundamentally intertwined with the health and well-being of women. The second pillar of our Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience calls for increased investments in women and girls, noting the historical discrimination and unique challenges they face. This Roadmap advocates for investment across health-related sectors such as education, water and sanitation, and pollution control.
Progress on Key Health Indicators
In recent years, the gender gap in women’s labor force participation has narrowed across many countries in our region. Total fertility rates have declined in most countries, and maternal mortality ratios have significantly decreased—showing a 41% decline in South-East Asia from 2010 to 2020, compared to a 12% decline globally. Our region is on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target for maternal mortality by 2030. According to the 2024 WHO global survey report, all countries in South-East Asia have established national guidelines and policies addressing sexual and reproductive health, family planning, contraception, and STI treatment and counselling. Furthermore, gender and health have been prioritized in current WHO South-East Asia Region Country Cooperation Strategies with member states.
Acknowledging Ongoing Challenges
Despite the progress we have made, it is crucial to recognize that our journey is far from complete. All countries in our region rank high on the global Gender Inequality Index, and nearly 40% of women report having experienced physical and/or sexual violence during their lives. This violence exacerbates the risks of communicable diseases such as HIV and STIs, while also contributing to mental health issues. During crises and emergencies, women often face greater barriers to healthcare access than men, due to factors such as mobility restrictions and economic insecurity.
The Rural Reality for Women
Around 60% of the population in our region lives in rural areas, a significant portion of whom are women. Rural communities face distinct challenges in accessing healthcare, including insufficient health infrastructure, limited comprehensive services, and a lack of workforce. Women in these areas experience compounded disadvantages linked to gender, further intensified by socio-economic challenges and cultural norms that hinder their access to necessary healthcare services.
WHO SEARO’s Commitment: The ‘4P’ Approach
To safeguard and enhance the health of women and girls, WHO SEARO is implementing the ‘4P’ approach:
- Promote: Advocating for investment in women and girls across health and related sectors, including education and sanitation.
- Provide: Prioritizing unmet health needs and breaking down barriers to access for women and girls.
- Protect: Improving female representation in decision-making roles to foster inclusive policy planning and preparedness.
- Power and Perform: Identifying health risks specific to women and girls for targeted interventions.
Conclusion: A Collective Commitment
On this International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to uphold the rights, equality, and empowerment of all women and girls, not just in South-East Asia, but across the globe.
