Gender justice and health equity are inextricably linked but are programmes linked?
SHOBHA SHUKLA - CNS
Do not dislocate human right to health from gender equality and human rights
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The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health launched a new report in April 2025 on "achieving gender justice for global health equity" in Delhi, India. The report reflects how a lack of understanding of the link between gender and health is negatively affecting health outcomes.
The report makes a very valid point that achieving gender justice in global health encompasses the realisation of universal rights in relation to health equity and gender equality, while also addressing the drivers of gender-based discrimination and exclusion. This would improve health outcomes, reduce health inequities, and ensure more inclusive and equitable global health workplaces and workforce governance for all people. This also happens to be a core focus of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights) initiative.
But despite promises made by our governments to deliver on both, gender equality and health, progress is off track: "We are not on track to realise the right to health and gender equality. Despite committing to Agenda 2030 with a common vision and work plan, we are not doing well on delivering on the promises of UN Sustainable Development Goals," said Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health in a SHE & Rights session hosted last month.
The Lancet Commission report comes at a very timely moment - right on the heels of the recently concluded 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), and ahead of the UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2025). Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) will be under review at HLPF 2025.
The Lancet Commission report also alerts us to the rising tide of anti-gender rhetoric and rollback of gender rights which is impacting health policies and gender equity.
Gender misunderstandings have resulted in unequal health outcomes
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