The Global Fight for Women’s Health by Sophie Harman – War on Wellbeing

The new Labour government is actively seeking ways to distance itself from the legacy left by the Conservatives. One area of focus may be the 2022 women’s health strategy for England. This initiative has been criticized for its lack of funding and narrow focus, primarily targeting conditions affecting the uterus, ovaries, and breasts, ignoring broader aspects of women’s health. Many view this strategy as a distraction from significant issues like the widening gender pay gap, lengthy gynecology waiting lists, concerns about maternity care, childcare constraints, and the exclusion of women from political decision-making processes.

In “Sick of It,” Sophie Harman adeptly illustrates how these domestic failures are mirrored globally. Despite much talk about the importance of women’s health, no country has taken drastic measures like breaking trade deals or imposing sanctions over the issues affecting women and girls. Harman, a professor of international politics specializing in global health, explains the forces shaping women’s health from various perspectives, including those in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Washington, and Geneva. She dispels the myth that women’s health is a neutral scientific area free from politics. Rather, it is often used as “diplomatic branding,” with women being exploited as aid recipients, healthcare workers, unpaid carers, and leaders overshadowed by men.

Harman emphasizes that women’s health is a currency of power and influence. She cites Rwanda’s government as an example where maternal health improvements were used to distract from human rights abuses. Announcements of successes such as an 85% reduction in maternal mortality and significant advancements in HIV care served to attract international business, foreign aid, and global approval. However, according to Harman, authoritarian governments often restrict access to health services through fear rather than trust.

On the other hand, the US, as the largest provider of international aid, imposes strict conditions. Since Ronald Reagan, Republican governments have enforced the “global gag rule,” which prohibits foreign organizations from receiving funding for family planning and reproductive health if they also provide or inform about abortions. This policy leads to increased deaths from illegal terminations, unwanted pregnancies, and childbirth complications, worsening the situation for nearly half of the world’s women who have limited access to abortion.

Even when financial support is provided, foreign agendas distort the true health needs of recipient countries. “Saving mothers” is a popular slogan, driving billions of dollars into women’s health initiatives. However, Harman argues that this support often views mothers as valuable primarily because they care for others. Additionally, the portrayal of aid recipients and healthcare delivery is problematic, often relying on underpaid or unpaid local women who carry their communities. Harman notes that no health policy would succeed without this invisible workforce, which also faces significant risk of abuse.

As Ebola spread, women were sexually exploited by health workers from organizations like the World Health Organization and Oxfam, who were supposed to help. In Gaza and the West Bank, underfunded and understaffed hospitals caused Palestinian women to die while waiting to access care. Harman forcefully condemns the targeted bombing of maternity hospitals in Palestine, viewing it as an attack not just on women but on the future of Palestine.

Harman proposes powerful solutions for change in her analysis. She asserts that women’s testimonies must be believed and listened to. Gender expertise should be integrated into global health policy rather than added superficially. Comprehensive data collection on sex and gender dynamics is crucial, especially in areas where the world tends to look away. Harmon also urges that we never advocate for women’s health merely as a means to another end, as this devalues women’s lives and health.

While there are valuable aspects of the 2022 women’s health strategy, despite its flaws, it remains a significant initiative that has improved lives by expanding access to contraception, menopause support, menstrual education, and sexual and reproductive healthcare. Scrapping this imperfect but impactful strategy would be unwise for the Labour government. Instead, efforts should focus on refining existing initiatives to better serve women.

Source: The Guardian, The Observer