Every year the world marks the International Women’s Day on March 8th. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. For women in Sub Saharan Africa, there are significant milestones as well as challenges that still remain.
The theme for the year 2017 is “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50:50 by 2030”.
With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men. However, great improvements have been made, while more needs to be done.
SPEED team members take critical views of pertinent issues regarding women’s health and universal health coverage in three separate articles. Chrispus Mayora (MakSPH) on ‘Beyond emancipation: Improving women’s health and education critical to women’s participation in the economy‘;‘Gemma Ahaibwe (EPRC), ‘Family planning, women’s health, and the empowerment agenda’; and Robinah Kaitiritimba (UHCO) ‘Gender inclusive Financial Protection: the Pathway to Universal Health Coverage; Women, Indigents and community safety nets!‘
The articles make interesting, insightful reading.
