Women, Empowerment and Health: Equity and Agency

In recent decades, women’s empowerment and equity have been increasingly recognized as potentially crucial components of efforts to achieve a myriad of health and development objectives. The empowerment and autonomy of women, and improvements in their political, social, economic and health status, are therefore becoming accepted as highly important ends in themselves.

Disparities in educational access, limited economic opportunities, and low relative status of women all shape women’s ability to control their health and their futures. Improving women’s agency is therefore essential not only for successful family planning and reproductive health, but also for improving development, and global organizations are increasingly taking note.

In addition, they are seen as essential for the achievement of sustainable development. Greater equality for girls in regard to health, nutrition and education is the first step in ensuring that women realize their full potential and become equal partners in development. Access to health and education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process.