Call for a National Women’s Health Strategy

Women's Health Action has called for the development of a National Women’s Health Strategy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A discussion document released by Women’s Health Action cites the World Health Organisation:

“To achieve the highest standard of health, health policies have to recognize that women and men, owing to their biological differences and their gender roles, have different needs, obstacles and opportunities.”

World Health Organisation, (2001). Mainstreaming gender equity in health: The need to move forward. Madrid Statement.

The discussion document states that such a strategy would help achieve:

• A health system that is responsive to the needs of all women and actively promotes participation of women in health care;
• Planning and delivery of health services and health research that includes all women and will prioritise the needs of those with the highest risk of poor health;
• Health equity between women and with men;
• Gender analysis in health care policy and research and greater understanding of gender as a key determinant of health;
• Greater understanding of how women’s health needs differ with life stages;
• Equitable access and safe services including culturally diverse health services for specific populations including Māori, Pasifika, older, teen, disabled, rural and Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex people;
• The strategy should be consistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and other relevant Aotearoa New Zealand legislation such as the Human Rights Act and the international human rights conventions to which we are signatories."

The discussion document notes the health impacts of intimate partner violence, and calls for a prevention and health promotion focus including addressing domestic and sexual violence.