Women and children: WHO for equitable health care

Maternal mortality, AIDS, malnutrition and violence still a big challenge.

LAHORE:

The International Women’s Day is observed to appreciate and acknowledge achievements as well as struggles of women as agents of change to improve their social status, lives, communities and health, Dr Guido Sabatinelli, the World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Pakistan, said in a press statement released on Wednesday.

The world is being celebrated globally on Thursday (Today). Dr Sabatinelli said that this year the theme for the Day was: Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures.

He stressed a need for inclusion and participation of girl children and adolescents as focus of attention for any intervention towards the achievement of their basic human rights.He said scientific advancements, knowledge and new health technologies had improved the health status and outcomes of women and girls worldwide. However, the WHO representative said, in Pakistan challenges like a high maternal mortality rate, an increasing number of women living with HIV/AIDs, nutritional deficiencies and gender-based discrimination and violence still persisted .

Dr Sabatinelli said these challenges could be addressed by strengthening the role of women and their empowerment.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2012.