This International Women’s Day #TakeAStand for women’s rights
7 March 2024
The global pushback on gender equality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is advancing at an alarming speed and scale. This global to national campaign to roll back women’s rights immensely impacts women’s health and well-being. Women and girls cannot realize their right to health unless they have bodily autonomy and access to SRHR services is central to healthcare. This means women having control over reproductive choices, including access to contraception, safe abortion, and comprehensive sexual education. This autonomy means better health for themselves, their families, and their communities.
As women comprise 70% of healthcare workers globally, they are on the frontlines of this gradual constriction of rights. They largely deliver SRHR services, such as contraception, safe abortion, and essential knowledge to empower women to make informed choices about their bodies and their futures. And yet, their dedication comes at a cost. In many parts of the world, they face severe challenges. Violence and harassment, physical threats, intimidation, and online abuse are only a few. Restrictive laws and policies can make providing healthcare a crime, and delivering services a risk of prosecution. Underfunded healthcare systems often lack the resources necessary to provide quality SRHR services.
Addressing gendered health inequities is fundamental to driving progress for health for all. This should be done through gender-responsive actions and health systems. The fight for gender equality and SRHR will benefit not only women but the whole of society, everywhere. When women and girls thrive, everyone benefits. Together we can stop the backlash against women’s rights. This International Women’s Day let’s #TakeAStand for women’s rights and gender-equal future.
