International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, serves as a global platform to highlight issues affecting women and advocate for gender equality.
This year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” underscores the need for concrete actions to ensure equal rights, opportunities, and power for women and girls worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that empowering young women and adolescent girls is central to achieving this vision.
Progress and Challenges in South-East Asia
Marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the most comprehensive framework for women’s rights, WHO acknowledges the undeniable link between the well-being of women and the development of societies, particularly in South-East Asia.
The Regional Roadmap for Results and Resilience recognizes historical discrimination against women and stresses investment in key sectors such as health, education, and sanitation to address these disparities.
Over the past decades, the region has seen:
✅ A narrowing gender gap in labor force participation.
✅ A decline in total fertility rates.
✅ A 41% drop in maternal mortality between 2010 and 2020—significantly outpacing the 12% global decline.
Additionally, all countries in the region have implemented national policies on sexual and reproductive health, family planning, STI treatment, and counseling, demonstrating a commitment to women’s health.
Persistent Gender Inequality and Barriers
Despite progress, significant challenges remain:
🔹 High Gender Inequality Index rankings across all South-East Asian countries.
🔹 Nearly 40% of women in the region have experienced physical and/or sexual violence.
🔹 Increased health risks, including HIV, STIs, and mental health struggles.
🔹 Disruptions in women’s healthcare access during crises due to mobility restrictions and economic instability.
🔹 Rural women, who make up a significant portion of the population, face limited healthcare services, infrastructure shortages, and socio-economic disadvantages.
WHO SEARO’s ‘4P’ Approach for Women’s Health
To address these issues, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) is implementing the ‘4P’ approach:
🔹 Promote – Advocate for increased investment in women’s health and related sectors.
🔹 Provide – Address barriers preventing women from accessing essential healthcare.
🔹 Protect – Ensure female representation in decision-making for inclusive policies.
🔹 Power and Perform – Identify and tackle key health risk areas affecting women and girls.
On this International Women’s Day, WHO calls for a collective commitment to advancing the rights, equality, and empowerment of women and girls—ensuring a future where no one is left behind.
📢 Let’s stand together for a more just and equitable world!
Source: WHO
