Why Women's Health

Because women are different from men

Sex refers to the biological differences between females and males1. In health this has traditionally focused on reproductive differences. However, anatomy, physiology and genetics present a broader range of issues in which differences in men and women can be identified¹.

Gender refers to the different social and cultural roles, attitudes, behaviours, expectations and constraints placed upon women and men by virtue of their sex¹. It affects all aspects of the lives of women and men and is an important determinant of health and well-being.

The many aspects of women's and men's health and wellbeing influenced by gender include¹:

exposure to risk factors
access to and understanding of information about disease management, prevention and control
subjective experience of illness and its social significance
attitudes towards the maintenance of one's own health and that of other family members
the use of available services
perceptions of quality of care.

Gender roles and responsibilities are rarely evenly balanced in any society and Australia is no exception. Focusing on women's health addresses past and current gender imbalances, and in the process, by addressing issues through a gendered approach, improves the health of both women and men.

What is a Gendered Approach?

Applying a gendered approach, or a gendered lens:

is a way of looking at information
identifies and analyses the similarities and differences in conditions, situations, needs and priorities between women and men
takes into account such variables as biology, genetics, socio-economic circumstances, culture, behaviour and gender.

Why Take a Gendered Approach?

A gendered approach:

recognises the need for the full participation of women and men in decision-making
gives equal weight to the knowledge, values and experiences of women and men
ensures that both women and men identify their health needs and priorities and acknowledges that certain health problems are unique to, or have more serious implications, for men and women
leads to a better understanding of the causes of ill-health
results in more effective interventions to improve health
contributes to the attainment of greater equity in health and health care.

Implications for the Future
There are many ways in which a gender lens can be applied to policy analysis, and program and service planning, implementation and evaluation. Information and tools are accessible to help utilise a gendered approach in health policy, planning and program delivery.

In an era of evidence based health policy and practice, it makes sense to use all evidence including that which is gendered.

1 Women's Health Association of Victoria (2001). Women's Health Association of Victoria: Position Paper on Gender & Practice.http://www.whv.org.au/Articles/WHAV_gender_sensitivity.pdf Accessed on 05/06/2006
2 World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (1999). Health 21: The Health for All Policy Framework for the WHO European Region: European Health for All Series; No.6. World Health Organisation, Denmark.

Why Women's Health? - Gender and Health
by Charmaine Farrell © Women’s Health Goulburn North East, 2006

Why Womens Health
Size 1.84MBB

How sex and gender affects 10 health issues

As part of women's health promotion and advocacy for the Victorian Women's Health Summit of July 2006, ten collapsible banners were created with information on different women's health issues.

Women's health is still too often seen by many as being just about women's reproductive health. While this view remains, particularly amongst those in decision making positions in government and in the health care system, women’s health will continue to be compromised by policies and programs that simply don't respond to their needs.

Despite the growing international recognition of gender as a determinant of health, this awareness has yet to be incorporated into mainstream health policy, and in the design and delivery of programs and services. Victoria has made some progress in this area over the past 20 years, but not enough.

These banners were created to raise awareness of the biological (sex) and social (gender) differences in women's experience of health.

The issues were selected as a sample from a range of topics within health determinants, health issues, and health priorities. Content was created by a range of representatives from the women's health services and health promotion agencies.

Banners are available in two formats:

Display version with original pictures
Text version with full reference

The ten women's health banner topics are:

Why women's health: an overview	Display version (PDF 813KB)	Text version (PDF 33KB)
Women and alcohol	Display version (PDF 437KB)	Text version (PDF 46KB)
Women and cancer	Display version (PDF 465KB)	Text version (PDF 42KB)
Women and financial security	Display version (PDF 646KB)	Text version (PDF 39KB)
Women and heart disease	Display version (PDF 649KB)	Text version (PDF 41KB)
Women and mental health	Display version (PDF 628KB)	Text version (PDF 43KB)
Women and sexual and reproductive health	Display version (PDF 691KB)	Text version (PDF 42KB)
Women and social connectedness	Display version (PDF 578KB)	Text version (PDF 45KB)
Women and tobacco	Display version (PDF 535KB)	Text version (PDF 48KB)
Women and violence	Display version (PDF 583KB)	Text version (PDF 40KB)

Thanks to Women's Health Victoria for some of the content on this page. www.whv.org.au