CSW 65 - Gender Equality/Equity in Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how important sex and gender differences are in healthcare and how crucial the role of women is, working in all layers of healthcare. The pandemic has disproportionately affected people of a lower socio-economic status and ethnic minority groups, whose mortality rates have been twice as high as those of (white) majority populations. Disproportionate effects have also been found for women, who in general have a lower socio-economic position than men, and who take on the bulk of caring duties, both professionally (working in the ‘front lines’), as well as in the private sphere, for their families.

 

Gender equality/equity is still importantly neglected in Public Health and in many areas of Healthcare (SDG 3 and 5). Although the majority of the health workforce is female, only a minority of decision making positions are held by women. Empowering more women working in healthcare, will directly contribute to important issues related to Women’s Health being set higher on the agenda.

 

In this side-event at CSW65, the importance of Gender Equality/Equity in Healthcare will be discussed, from the perspective of the patient as well as the professional. Furthermore, lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic will be presented and the upcoming report of the Lancet Women’s Commission on CV health will be highlighted.