World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific

Women's health

Health, in general, comes about as the product of many factors: biological, psychological, social, political, cultural and economic. There was a time when programmes on women's health were focused almost entirely on maternal health. The realization did not come until later that women's health goes far beyond childbearing and includes other phases of a woman's life as well as the health of her children and her children's children.

Women's health can be spoken of in terms of the search for solutions for high maternal mortality ratios and infant mortality rates, malnutrition, anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies, early and unwanted pregnancies, illiteracy, female genital mutilation, high fertility, unsafe abortions, reproductive tract infections (RTI), sexually transmitted infections (STI), HIV/AIDS, work-related health risks, cancers, substance abuse, sexual harassment, domestic abuse and violence against women, depression and other problems related to ageing, gender inequities, the unfair low social status accorded to women, the hindrances to their empowerment and the obstruction of their basic human rights.

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Fact sheets

News and press releases

7 March 2011
Some progress on women's rights, says WHO – but more needs to be done
[full text]

12 October 2010
Thousands of women are dying unnecessarily: WHO
[full text]

23 March 2010
Health risks for women highlighted on World Water Day
[full text]

08 March 2010
WHO laments "shameful" lack of respect for women's right to good health
[full text]

11 November 2009
WHO calls for urgent action to improve women's health
[full text]

[more news]

Relevant publications and documents

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 (Module on Mental Health)

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 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.

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Upcoming meetings and events

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Upcoming meetings and events

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Contact Information

Dr Ardi Kaptiningsih
Regional Adviser
in Making Pregnancy Safer and Women and Reproductive Health