Women in Health Policies, Health Planning, Health Care and Health Professionals Education for Equity and Global Health

Introduction

Researchers everywhere are finding gender inequality in medicine even with obvious evidence of substantial economic, health, social gains that could be achieved by addressing inequality in gender norms. Actually it should be equity which is a matter of justice and rights in view of gender differences in body functions. It seems women are underrepresented in positions of power, leadership, be it education, health care or research and are undervalued. They experience discrimination, gender-based violence in health disciplines globally.

Objectives

To know present status of women in health policies, health planning, health care systems, health management, as health providers and in health professionals education

Methodology

Literature was searched for getting desired information as per objectives. There were no criteria for inclusion of research studies or reviews, Whatever could be accessed was looked also. Opinions were also searched and added. Self observations and experiences were added.

Results

Globally women are underrepresented in health disciplines in positions of power, particularly in leadership positions, and specialized areas such as surgical specialties. They are undervalued, experience discrimination; suffer gender-based violence in health systems around the world. Women comprise around 70% of health workers and contribute to US $ 3 trillion annually to global health, half of which is unpaid health care work. There has been poor inclusion of women in medical research as main researchers. Also in research findings gender related reporting is limited affecting for best of utility of results.

Conclusion

There is almost no aspect of health that is not affected by gender bias.Leaders and practitioners in medicine continue to be unaware and poorly educated about the nature, extent, and impact of barriers to full participation of women in medicine around the world. Collective action is needed to fight pervasive threats.

Author(s): Shakuntala Chhabra

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