Highlights:
• International Women Health Day is observed on 28 May
• Observed to spread awareness about women’s health and rights
• Need to educate women across the globe
The International Day of Action for Women’s Health or International Women’s Health Day is observed on 28 May every year by women and health groups across the world to spread awareness about their health and rights.
In the Covid 19 pandemic, women’s are more likely to suffer from the economic and social consequences. This day aims to raise awareness on the issues related to women’s health and well-being such as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). The main focus is to remind everyone, especially the government leaders and parliamentarians, that every woman’s health matters.
To make the campaign successful, the Latin American and Caribbean Women’s Health Network (LACWHN) and Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) are working together.
How the day came into existence
The International Women’s Health Day came into existence in 1987 and the government of South Africa officially recognised it during that time. With the beginning day, an opportunity to educate and make people aware of the importance of sexual and reproductive health and the rights of women was finally recognised.
The need to educate women across the globe about issues like Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), irrespective of factors including religion and age, still retains utmost importance.
Few rights that SRHR has included in its list for women:
– Use modern contraceptive methods
– Sexuality education
– Choose their partner
– Receive information on sexuality
– Safe abortion and post-abortion care
– Know about prevention, care, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
Other issues that are raised to get women aware of their rights for health care that are:
– Women being cautious about health care
– Making women aware of medical facilities, contraceptives, and other help
– Women need to be protected from HIV/AIDS
– Women should have safe and legal abortion facilities.
