Advancing equal health for women: Insights from academic research findings
Today, on International Women's Day, we take a moment to reflect on the significant strides made in the pursuit of gender equity, particularly in the realm of women's health.
According to a recent analysis, the keyword "cancer" is the most frequently used term in articles discussing health equity, underscoring the urgent need for research and action in this area. This focus is also reflected in the growing number of dissertations on health equity and women published over the past decade.
The United Nations Women Division estimates that more than 700 million women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence at least once in their lives. This alarming statistic underscores the need for continued efforts to ensure gender equity and equal access to healthcare services.
The World Health Organization identifies the right to health as a fundamental human right, and this principle is echoed in the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which recognise the importance of gender equity. SDG-5: Gender Equality aims to end all forms of abuse, discrimination, and harmful practices against girls and women.
Notably, research has expanded to include a focus on marginalised groups such as Black and immigrant women, who often face additional disparities and inequalities in health equity and access to health services. Studies conducted by researchers like Isabel Wilke at institutions like BBFU e.V. have delved into the biological and pathological effects of electromagnetic radiation on fertility, brain, and behaviour, revealing risks like oxidative cell stress and impacts on fertility and cognitive functions.
Broader institutional research includes interdisciplinary studies in pedagogical and social sciences, addressing how patriarchy and ideologies affect health and equality. Events like CoRE-NRW's webtalk series provide contemporary insights into women's health in societal contexts.
The growth of new literature on health equity for women suggests that the information needed for change is increasingly available. Clarivate, a global leader in providing trusted information and analytics, has shown its commitment to this cause by exploring health equity as a disproportionate inequality for women and supporting human rights, diversity, and inclusion, and social justice.
This year's International Women's Day theme is #EmbraceEquity, a call to action for everyone to work towards a more equitable world. As we celebrate this day, let us remember that while progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure that every woman has the right to health and equal access to healthcare services.
The ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global (PQDT) database, the world's most comprehensive curated collection of multi-disciplinary dissertations and theses, stands as a testament to the ongoing research and commitment to gender equity in academia and beyond. Let us continue to support, advocate, and invest in the health and well-being of women worldwide.
