Promoting women’s empowerment for better health outcomes for women and children

Overview

The fundamental right to the highest attainable standard of health, including physical, mental and social well-being has been recognized in many global, regional and national declarations and charters. There is now substantial evidence that healthy populations are a foundation for sustainable social, economic and environmental development and for peace and security, and vice versa. However, despite many advances over the previous decades, large numbers of disadvantaged people still suffer ill health, with thousands dying every day from preventable causes. Women and children from underserved communities bear a particularly high burden of preventable disease and death.