Gender and health

Gender refers to those characteristics of women and men that are socially and culturally determined; whereas sex refers to biological differences between women and men. Gender combines powerfully with other health determinants, such as poverty, age, ethnicity and other markers of social exclusion, to produce particular patterns of inequity, or unfair differences. The case for taking gender inequity seriously in health policy, planning and delivery encompasses rights based, effectiveness and sustainability arguments. The goals of gender equity and poverty eradication are interlinked and often interdependent.

Gender shapes vulnerability to illness and ability to protect and maintain health. For instance, high HIV prevalence rates amongst young women in sub-Saharan Africa reflect the multiple challenges girls and young women face in negotiating sexual relationships. Gender affects access to health services and the quality of care received. For example, shockingly high rates of maternal mortality remain in part due to the barriers many poor women face in accessing relevant services. In many contexts, this is exacerbated by limited availability of quality services to meet women’s needs. Gender also affects burdens of ill-health, as women and girls frequently carry out the caring role at household and community levels.

There is an urgent need for action within and beyond the health sector. Gender and health interactions are part of a broader context of institutionalised gender inequity in social and economic relationships, which goes beyond the provision of health services. The Millennium Development Goals recognise that access to education and decision-making at all levels, and to financial resources strongly affects the health status of women.