Women and Health

Women's right to the enjoyment of the highest standard of health must be secured throughout their entire life cycle, in full equality with that of men. Women are affected by many of the same health conditions as men, but women experience them differently. The prevalence among women of poverty and economic dependence, their experience of violence, negative attitudes towards women and girls, racial and other forms of discrimination, the limited power many women have over their sexual and reproductive lives, and lack of influence in decision-making are social realities that have an adverse impact on women’s health. Good health is essential to leading a productive and fulfilling life of dignity, and the right of all women to control all aspects of their health, in particular their own fertility, is fundamental to their freedom and empowerment.

In the article 12 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979), State Parties commit to “1. (…) take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, access to health care services, including those related to family planning.”

WMA Current Policy & Action:

The WMA is committed to working towards the eradication of the obstacles that prevent women worldwide from fully claiming their right to the highest attainable standard of health.

Violence against women

At its General Assembly in Vancouver in October 2010, the WMA adopted a Resolution on violence against women, urging physicians and their national medical associations to pay far greater attention to this deep problem. In a press release issued at this occasion, Dr. Ruth Collins-Nakai, from the Canadian Medical Association who headed the WMA'S workgroup on violence against women and girls said: 'These forms of violence reflect the persistence of gender inequalities worldwide. Physicians can be the agents of change and promote a shift of mentality for the achievement of women's human rights, their dignity and integrity.'

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Ending female genital mutilations

In May 2008, the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution according to which Member States commit themselves to accelerating action towards the elimination of female genital mutilations (FGM) through laws, education and community efforts. In an oral statement, the World Health Professions Alliance – represented by the World Medical Association - recalled that the practice of FGM is a gross form of violence against women and girls and condemned strongly any form of medicalisation of this practice. The WHPA urged medical and nursing associations to develop educational programs and awareness raising actions on the acute danger of FGM.

In April-June 2010, WMA contributed to the drafting of the Global Strategy against health care providers performing female genital mutilation initiated by several international agencies, including WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF. WMA is one of the signatories of the Global Strategy.

Other issues related to women & health

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