75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: it’s time for gender equity in health
10 December 2023
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Women in Global Health is proud to dedicate its energy and efforts to advancing women’s human rights.
While women predominantly deliver health globally, by making up 70% of the health workforce, three quarters of leadership roles are held by men. The imperative to achieve gender-equal leadership in health decision-making is clear. This is essential not only to amplify the invaluable lived experiences of women within the health system but also to transform institutional cultures, eradicating violence and discrimination. Empowering women in decision-making positions is fundamental to dismantling patriarchal attitudes.
Gender equity in the health and care workforce cannot wait. Workplace policies, often modeled on men’s lives, perpetuate a gender pay gap of 24%, starkly demonstrating persistent inequality. In addition, our own research found that more than 6 million women work unpaid in core health system’s roles, mostly as Community Health Workers. This is an issue of gender justice and economic justice. Women deserve fair pay, safe and decent working conditions, free from sexual harassment and violence. It is critical for countries to address the lack of stringent laws on sex discrimination and to ratify the ILO Convention 190 ILO to end work-related violence and harassment.
The COVID-19 pandemic has amply demonstrated the imperative to establish gender-responsive health systems for Universal Health Coverage and effective pandemic preparedness and response. The active involvement and preparedness of health workers are both crucial to effective health systems. Women’s voices remain insufficiently heard in essential political decisions regarding universal health coverage and pandemic preparedness and response. Employing a gender-based analysis is vital for enhancing health system efficiency. We reaffirm our commitment to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) as an essential component of responsive health systems.
Over time, greater recognition has been given to human rights for all people. everywhere, driven by the courage of countless women who, through their collective movements, compel institutions and governments to take action. We are proud to be supporting 53 Women in Global Health chapters worldwide, providing a platform for women from diverse countries and health systems to be heard, gain spaces of power, and collaboratively transform institutions for equality and human rights.
Together, let us ensure that the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights become a lived reality for every woman and girl within the global health landscape.
