Ever heard the story of how women would die from infections after childbirth simply because the doctors refused to wash their hands? Historically, women’s health was often disregarded, considered taboo, and seldom discussed openly.
In earlier times, childbirth was a perilous experience for women, with maternal mortality rates alarmingly high due to preventable infections.
As societal attitudes evolved and medical knowledge advanced, there emerged a gradual shift towards acknowledging and addressing women’s health issues. The taboo surrounding topics such as reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and menopause began to erode. Paving the way for more open conversations and medical innovations tailored to women’s unique health needs.
While we acknowledge the strides made in women’s health, there is still ample room for further discussion and action. By continuing to push boundaries and challenge outdated norms, we can ensure that women’s health receives the attention and resources it deserves.
Milestones in Women’s Health Advocacy
Women’s health advocacy has undergone transformative milestones over the decades. Addressing crucial aspects like birth control, abortion rights, research, diagnostic procedures, and societal attitudes toward women’s health issues.
Birth Control Revolution (1960s):
The introduction of the birth control pill in the 1960s revolutionized reproductive health by giving women unprecedented control over their fertility. This enabled greater family planning and career opportunities.
Abortion Laws and Access:
Many countries around the world have legalized abortion, granting women the right to make decisions about their reproductive health. This includes access to safe and legal abortions. In practice, however, access to safe and legal abortion services remains limited and challenging for many women in Nigeria.
Declaration of Women’s Health as a Human Issue (1990s):
International campaigns like the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) recognized women’s health as a fundamental human rights issue. They’ve called for global action to address disparities and promote women’s health.
Improved Research into Women’s Diseases:
Historically, medical research has often focused on male subjects, leading to gaps in understanding women’s health issues. Initiatives like the Women’s Health Initiative (1991) spurred increased research into women’s specific health concerns.
Improved Diagnostic Procedures:
Advancements in medical technology have led to more tailored diagnostic procedures for women’s health conditions. Such as mammography for breast cancer screening and Pap smears for cervical cancer detection.
More Sensitivity to Women’s Health Complaints:
There has been a growing recognition of gender disparities in healthcare, leading to increased sensitivity and responsiveness to women’s health complaints and symptoms that may have been historically overlooked or dismissed.
Empowering Women in Childbirth Decisions:
Women’s empowerment in childbirth decisions has progressed, allowing women to have greater autonomy and decision-making power during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Rather than decisions being solely directed by husbands or healthcare providers.
Improvement of Menstrual Products:
Advances in menstrual hygiene products, such as menstrual cups and reusable pads, have provided more sustainable and comfortable options, addressing long-standing issues of accessibility and environmental impact.
Ongoing Studies to Reduce Maternal Deaths:
Global efforts continue to focus on reducing maternal mortality rates through improved access to prenatal care, skilled birth attendants, emergency obstetric care, and education about maternal health.
These milestones reflect a broader evolution in women’s health advocacy, emphasizing reproductive rights, research equity, healthcare inclusivity, and societal shifts toward recognizing and addressing women’s health as a central component of overall public health.
Addressing Gender-based Health Disparities
Addressing gender-based health disparities in women is a critical focus of public health advocacy and policy. Women encounter unique health challenges and inequalities compared to men, stemming from biological distinctions, societal factors, and systemic injustices.
Reproductive health stands out as a significant area of concern. Women undergo profound physiological changes from puberty through menopause, impacting fertility, menstrual health, and pregnancy outcomes.
Moreover, women experience a disproportionate impact from certain health conditions. Autoimmune diseases like lupus and multiple sclerosis, along with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as certain types of cancers, demonstrate higher prevalence rates among women due to gender-specific factors.
Advocating for gender-responsive healthcare policies and initiatives is vital to addressing these disparities. This involves promoting women’s health research, raising awareness about women’s health concerns, and ensuring healthcare professionals receive training in gender-sensitive care.
Ongoing Issues and Future Directions
Limited education contributes to disparities in health knowledge and preventive care practices. Without adequate education, women may struggle to understand their health needs or make informed decisions about seeking healthcare services. Additionally, cultural norms such as early marriage can restrict women’s autonomy and decision-making power regarding healthcare, further impeding access.
Economic disparities exacerbate the situation, with many women unable to afford healthcare services, transportation to medical facilities, or essential medications. Geographical barriers also play a role, as women in remote areas often face long travel distances and inadequate infrastructure to reach healthcare facilities staffed by skilled providers.
These interconnected factors contribute to preventable maternal mortality rates and limited access to essential reproductive health services among women in lower socioeconomic strata, particularly in rural Nigeria.
Advocacy is crucial for advancing women’s health by promoting awareness about issues like maternal mortality, reproductive health, and gender-based violence. It involves advocating for policies that improve access to healthcare services and challenge harmful societal norms that hinder women’s health and well-being. The Nigerian government must actively support these efforts to ensure positive change in women’s health.
Substantial investments are needed to improve women’s health outcomes, including allocating resources for healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare workers, and expanding access to essential medicines and technologies tailored to women’s health needs.
Government policies have a significant impact on women’s health outcomes. Policies that prioritize gender equality, ensure universal healthcare coverage, and address social determinants of health can contribute to improved health outcomes for women.
Investing in research on gender-specific health conditions, developing innovative technologies for diagnosis and treatment, and implementing evidence-based interventions can drive improvements in women’s health outcomes.
Conclusion
We have indeed come a long way, so far in fact that Obstetrics and Gynecology is now a globally recognized medical specialty. How remarkable—medical doctors dedicated solely to women’s health! But there is room for more, for better. We must continue to push for the great potential and future that lies in women’s health!
