Gender and UHC: Policy priorities for equitable and resilient health systems

WATCH RECORDING

About the event

This virtual interactive dialogue on the sidelines of the 75th World Health Assembly will discuss policy priorities for gender-responsive UHC in the context of strengthening health systems including for health emergencies and will build on lessons learned to mobilize support for action to make health systems more gender-responsive.

The United National High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in September 2019 resulted in an ambitious and comprehensive Political Declaration aiming to ensure one billion additional people by 2030 have quality essential health services and to stop the rise and reverse the trend of catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure. Addressing gender equality in health systems’ design, financing, and delivery and in the health workforce, will drive the success of UHC for everyone. 

An important commitment in the outcome is  to mainstream a gender perspective on a systems-wide basis when designing, implementing and monitoring health policies, taking into account the specific needs of all women and girls, including the sexual and reproductive health and rights.  To do this, policy makers and programme designers need practical support for implementation.

This virtual  interactive dialogue on the sidelines of the 75th  World Health Assembly will explore the building of a ‘gender toolkit for equity in UHC’.  Speakers and attendees will lend their expertise and views to advise what should be in the toolkit and how it should be incorporated into health systems work.  Following the event, organizers will take forward the advice into the development of a toolkit over the next 12 months.

Interpretation in French and Spanish

Key Messages: 

1. We need resilient and equitable health systems that respond to needs of different genders to ensure UHC delivers gender outcomes and promote women leadership
2. Governments must recommit to the promises made at UHC HLM 2019
3. Gender equality and women’s and girl’s rights, including SRHR, are central to the design and delivery of UHC
4. Women health workers are central to design and delivery of UHC
5. Women’s voice and leadership are critical to the achieving UHC and the UN HLM process

WATCH RECORDING