Happy International Women's Day 2023

Women's health is the cornerstone of economies and societies worldwide. Yet, women are often impacted by a gender gap in healthcare services and medical research. 

Governments, medical bodies, and communities worldwide are taking steps to help improve women's health outcomes. Women’s voices must be placed at the centre of their health and care. Quality and accessibility of information and education on women’s health is key. Health and care systems need to be responsive to women’s health and care needs throughout their life. Employers need to focus on and support women’s health matters within the workplace. And more research is needed into better understanding and improving women's health.

To truly embrace equity means to ensure women have access to the differing products and services they require.

In 2023, the campaign for International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. To achieve the equal treatment of individuals in society, equity must first be reached. To put it simply, equity is the appropriate allocation of resources and support to people who are disadvantaged in society. Whilst some people believe that providing opportunities and support to minorities simply ‘takes away opportunities from those who are not disadvantaged’, equitable action provides the opportunity to erase the power imbalance between privileged individuals (e.g., cisgender people, white people, heterosexuals, males) and minorities. Although some individuals may receive more help than others, the varied amounts of support given to individuals creates an equal playing field for all individuals in society.

We know that women sometimes struggle to get the right care. Often their pain and symptoms are not taken seriously or they are not listened to by staff.  In our reports on cervical screening and maternity care in Greenwich, we heard that many women, especially women from a migrant background or who speak English as a second language, experience multiple institutional barriers when trying to get the care they need. This includes language barriers, access to information and being listened to by staff. This needs to change.

This International Woman’s Day, help us continue our work with the NHS and local healthcare providers to create services that provide all women with the care and support that they need by sharing your experience of accessing health and social care services in Greenwich.