23-March-2024-Special-Article

FAIR SHARE FOR HEALTH AND CARE REPORT

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently unveiled its “Fair Share for Health and Care” report, shedding light on the persistent gender gap in global healthcare.

Key Highlights of the Report:

Gender Disparities in Health and Care Workforce:

• Women constitute 67% of the paid global health and care workforce and perform around 76% of all unpaid care activities.
• Despite their significant presence, women are underrepresented in leadership roles within the healthcare sector.
• Chronic underinvestment in health systems perpetuates the cycle of unpaid care work, hindering women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.

Devaluation of Caregiving:

• Caregiving, predominantly performed by women, faces devaluation, resulting in lower wages, poor working conditions, and reduced productivity.
• Gender pay gaps limit women’s ability to invest in their families and communities, affecting overall well-being.

Higher Levels of Violence:

• Women in healthcare encounter higher levels of gender-based violence, with a quarter of workplace violence globally occurring in the healthcare sector.
• Addressing violence against women in healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring a safe and supportive work environment.

Global Crisis of Care:

• Decades of underinvestment in health and care work contribute to a global crisis of care, hindering progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and leaving billions without access to essential health services.
• Unpaid care work disproportionately burdens women, exacerbating gender disparities in healthcare.

Government Initiatives to Tackle Gender Disparity:

Economic Participation and Health and Survival:

• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative ensures the protection, survival, and education of the girl child.
• Mahila Shakti Kendra empowers rural women through skill development and employment opportunities.
• Mahila Police Volunteers act as a link between police and the community, facilitating women in distress.
• Rashtriya Mahila Kosh provides micro-credit to poor women for livelihood and income-generating activities.

Female Entrepreneurship:

• Stand-Up India and Mahila e-Haat promote female entrepreneurship through financial support and online marketing platforms.
• Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESSDP) fosters entrepreneurship among women.

Education and Empowerment:

• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya provides education in Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) to empower girls.
• Political reservation reserves 33% of seats in Panchayati Raj Institutions for women, enhancing their political representation.

Recommendations to Address Gender Disparity in Healthcare:

Improve Working Conditions:

• Enhance working conditions for health and care workers, especially in feminized occupations.
• Ensure equal pay for work of equal value and promote gender diversity in leadership roles.

Invest in Public Health Systems:

• Allocate resources to strengthen public health systems and address gaps in healthcare infrastructure.
• Prioritize investment in quality care to uphold the rights and well-being of caregivers.

Capacity Building and Empowerment:

• Conduct capacity building programs for elected women representatives to enable effective participation in governance processes.
• Promote female entrepreneurship and economic empowerment through skill development and financial support initiatives.

Mains Question:

1. Discuss the findings of the World Health Organization’s “Fair Share for Health and Care” report, highlighting the persistent gender disparities in global healthcare. (150 WORDS)