Gender and health

"Gender" refers to women’s and men’s roles and responsibilities, which are socially determined. Unlike men and women's biological characteristics, their gender characteristics are dynamic, varying across cultures and generations. Gender determines men's and women's roles and relations, their access to and control over resources, and their needs, including health needs.

Gender is a significant determinant of health. Analysis increasingly reveals differentials between men and women, arising from sex and gender, across health conditions. Specifically, because of gender roles and relations, significant gender-based differentials exist between men and women with regard to the following:

Exposure to disease and injury lead to differential exposures: For example, due to the norms of maleness and femaleness, it may be considered normal for men to visit sex workers but “unmanly” to use condoms or admit to ignorance about the health risks in not using them. On the other hand, women may be expected to be shy, unassertive and submissive in sexual matters, which can reduce their ability to negotiate safe sex. Similar gender-based differences are observed across a range of health risks.
Household-level investment in nutrition, care and education : For example, compared to boys and men, girls and women are often disadvantaged in education, although improved education for women has been found to produce better health outcomes for themselves, their children, and their grandchildren.
Access to and use of health services : Gender-related barriers to access to service include the following: limited mobility; lower control over household income; women may be expected to remain in the private sphere of the home, while men may move freely in the public sphere; women may need the permission of men in the household to seek health care; a male family member may need to accompany them.
The social impact of ill-health : For example, silence and stigma continue to surround domestic violence and rape in many countries. Similarly, women and girls in households usually shoulder the burden of home-based care-giving responsibilities, in addition to their other activities.

Given the influence of gender on health, efforts to improve health need to include due attention to gender. Addressing gender inequalities can strengthen programme planning and implementation, reducing delay, improving diagnosis, and improving access to services, as well as adherence and treatment outcomes.

Gender analysis is a method that can help identify:

the relations between men and women;
their roles and activities;
the resources they have access to and control over;
the norms that define their behaviours; and
the constraints they may face.

Gender analysis can be used to assess an existing health issue, a health project, programme or policy, health research, or health service delivery. It can also inform the development of new health policies, programmes and projects.

The results of gender analysis can be used in gender planning. This involves analysing from a gender perspective questions regarding the vision, goals and principles; design and planning; resource mobilization; implementation of intervention; and monitoring and evaluation of policies, programmes, projects or interventions.

Gender mainstreaming is a strategy for promoting gender equality. It involves changing policies and activities, as needed, to ensure that the goal of gender equality becomes central. Examples of what can be done include: identifying and reducing gender-related barriers to access; improving service quality; intensifying public education; improving sex-disaggregated information collection; and creating gender-sensitive indicators.

Presentations

Transforming health systems to meet the needs of women and girls (March 2009)

Equity in health (part 2) Gender and Health: a framework for analysis and action (September 2008)

100% CUP: poverty, gender and human rights issues (October 2006)

Poverty and gender issues in tobacco control (March 2004)

Gender and emerging diseases (September 2009)

Fact sheets

International Women's Day: 10 key issues (18 February 2011)

News and press releases

08 March 2010
WHO laments "shameful" lack of respect for women's right to good health
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Relevant publications and documents

Integrating poverty and gender into health programmes - a sourcebook for health professionals. Module on sexual and reproductive health
Although poverty and gender significantly influence health and socioeconomic development, health professionals are not always adequately prepared to address such issues in their work. This publication aims to improve the awareness, knowledge and skills of health professionals in the region on poverty and gender concerns. The modules that comprise this workbook are intended for use in pre-service and in-service training of health professionals. This publication is also expected to be of use to policy-makers and programme managers as a reference document, or in conjunction with in-service training.

Integrating poverty and gender into health programmes - A sourcebook for health professionals: Module on HIV/AIDS
Although poverty and gender significantly influence health and socioeconomic development, health professionals are not always adequately prepared to address such issues in their work. This publication aims to improve the awareness, knowledge and skills of health professionals in the region on poverty and gender concerns.The modules that comprise this sourcebook are intended for use in pre-service and in-service training of health professionals. This publication is also expected to be of use to policy-makers and programme managers as a reference document, or in conjunction with in-service training.

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes : A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Module on Curricular Integration)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes : A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Module on Mental Health)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes: A report on surveys of health ministries and educational institutions

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes: A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Foundational Module on Gender)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes: A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Foundational Module on Poverty)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes: A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Module on Ageing)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes: A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Module on Gender-Based Violence)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes: A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Module on Malaria)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes: A Sourcebook for Health Professionals (Module on Noncommunicable Diseases)

Integrating Poverty and Gender into Health Programmes - A Sourcebook for Health Professionals. Module on Water, Sanitation and Food
Although poverty and gender significantly influence health and socioeconomic development, health professionals are not always adequately prepared to address such issues in their work.This publication aims to improve the awareness, knowledge and skills of health professionals in the region on poverty and gender concerns.The modules that comprise this sourcebook are intended for use in pre-service and in-service training of health professionals. This publication is also expected to be of use to policy-makers and programme managers as a reference document, or in conjunction with in-service training.

Gender and Rights in Reproductive and Maternal Health: Manual for a Learning Workshop
It is crucially important to increase awareness of gender equality, to provide analytical and practical tools for health programme managers and others to address gender and reproductive rights. Moreover, it is vital to ensure both men's and women's participation in these efforts. This manual is intended for use in facilitating a 6-day workshop on gender and rights in reproductive and maternal health for health managers, policy-makers and others with responsibilities in reproductive health. Other stakeholders working on advocacy and policy and programme change in reproductive health, such as nongovernmental organizations and international partners may also find it useful. Although designed as a stand-alone course, it could be integrated with pre- or in-service programmes on health systems, rights and gender.