Gender and health
Gender equality in health means that women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full rights and potential to be healthy, contribute to health development, and benefit from the results.
Gender in health looks at the roots of health-seeking behaviour. It aims to improve health outcomes for both female and male populations, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion and socioeconomic status. It cannot be assumed that health programmes and policies affect men, women, boys and girls in the same way. Differences and specific vulnerabilities must be identified and addressed in health programmes and policies in order to make progress towards health for all.
Gender analysis in health examines how biological and sociocultural factors interact to influence health behaviour, outcomes and services. It also uncovers how gender inequality affects health and well-being.
Achieving gender equality will require specific measures designed to eliminate gender inequities.
