International Women’s Day 2024: invest in women to accelerate progress
8 March 2024 – A call to invest in women’s and girls’ health, well-being, and empowerment in all areas of life goes out today, on International Women’s Day 2024. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean joins the world in marking the global day, this year themed “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”.
This call is crucial in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, where women are affected by the impacts of multiple emergencies and crises, both human-made and natural in origin. This is on top of the various socioeconomic inequities and environmental, health system, social and behavioural determinants that usually affect women’s health.
The Region is home to very diverse settings, which is reflected in women’s health outcomes. Maternal mortality ranges from 7 deaths per 100 000 live births to more than 600 deaths per 100 000 live births. Prevalence of anaemia among girls and women of reproductive age (15–49 years) also varies hugely across countries and territories of the Region, from 23% to more than 60%.
Life expectancy for women – a proxy indicator for women’s health – which has been severely affected by the many crises in the Region, ranges from 57 to 82 years by country or territory: a stark difference of 25 years.
Investing in women is more vital now than ever as the ongoing crises put communities under increasing pressure and further compound the existing inequities. Investing in women’s health is, however, hindered by many challenges, including resource allocation gaps and cultural and socioeconomic factors. Insecurity also impedes the provision of much-needed