NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

They said women across the world have unique health needs that are often not addressed. In South-East Asia Region, for instance, about 61,000 women died in 2015 while giving birth, said the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Researchers have concluded that despite repeated attempts in several nations, nearly 38 percent of women in South Asian region have experienced gender-based violence at least once in their lifetime, said a survey done by Social Development Foundation of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and industry of India (Assocham).

“Achieving universal health coverage is one of the most effective ways to allow women to access the care they need. Universal coverage mitigates economic and physical barriers to accessing care and enhances women’s ability to take care of their health,” said Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director for WHO South Asian Region.

Noting that women account for the bulk of the 1.6 million annual deaths from household air pollution, Khetrapal said that due to the economic structure of many households, investing in a woman’s or girl’s health is often overlooked in favour of other priorities.