Diversity in Women’s Sexual Health – Women International

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While many people think of International Women’s Day as a general celebration and half-day off, it is more than that. It’s time to come together and use a world-sized magnifying glass to look at some of the important issues that may not have yet entered the mainstream consciousness of the average person. The focus for 2023 is equity – and a sub-theme of diversity is women’s sexual health.

In this article, we’ll explain what this means with some examples, and how people are waging their own small but amazing battles to make things better.

Note: Obviously some things might irritate people.

Why fight for diversity in women’s sexual health?

If you’re someone who has access to quality healthcare and is surrounded by an amazing support system, the idea of ​​striving for that kind of diversity might seem as pointless as knitting condoms. But if we step out of our comfort zones for a moment and remember that International Women’s Day is a day for women around the world, the fight for adequate healthcare is indeed a real thing.

Since every country, and even every city or population in a region, has its own health challenges that it must deal with, it makes sense that we cannot offer a blanket solution to the world and expect everything to work— This is what diversity means.

What are some examples of location-specific health issues?

• Lack of contraceptive measures in underdeveloped areas
• There are zero resources for transgender people
• Safety reporting SA capabilities and support in India and other places
• Australia forces women with disabilities to be sterilised
• The survey results are incorrect or contain false results, and there are problems with the survey language
• Lack of access to basic health services such as cervical cancer screening
• Reproductive autonomy in the United States
• Being able to talk openly about sex without being judged
• Female genital mutilation
• Proper sex education

These are just a few examples of how people around the world are fighting for a better life.

Health experts share their experiences

This International Women’s Day, the Kirby Institute has brought together a group of health experts to talk about the work they are doing to improve the sexual health of different groups of women, and to consider how this work can be used to bring us closer to equitable sexual health and wellbeing.

feature:

Dr. Blessing Akombi-Inyang
Research Fellow, School of Migrant and Population Health, University of New South Wales Sydney
Community participation of migrant women

Dr. Deborah Bateson
Medical Director, Family Planning NSW, Adjunct Professor, Centre for Health and Social Research, University of New South Wales Sydney
Respecting Diversity: Enhancing the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women with Intellectual Disabilities

Associate Professor Julie Mooney-Summers
Sydney University School of Public Health
Why regular health surveys for lesbian, bisexual and queer women need to accommodate gender diversity

The following is their panel discussion:

Women’s sexual health campaigns and charities

Empowering adolescent girls to drive economic transformation in West and Central Africa

In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls face a unique set of challenges. High fertility rates due to early marriage, low educational attainment, social norms and legal restrictions, and a lack of adequate family planning information and services prevent girls from reaching their full potential.

World Bank website

To discuss this challenge for International Women’s Day 2023, There is a webinar Discuss the importance of supporting the economic and social empowerment of young women and provide perspectives for entrepreneurs, policymakers and other agents of change.

Multifaceted gender reforms bring new opportunities for women and girls in Benin

In Benin, the first and second rounds of the Development Policy Financing Series to Unleash Human and Productive Potential, which launched in early 2021 and concluded in September 2023, were a major success..

World Bank website

• A new law expands the definition of gender-based violence (GBV) and increases or creates penalties to address the scourge of GBV.
• Health code reforms have improved women’s access to reproductive health, including contraception, particularly for young people in youth-friendly facilities. For more information on these developments, Check out this article.

International Organization of Midwives

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “Breaking Prejudice”, calling on us to imagine a world without prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination; a world of diversity, fairness and inclusion; a world that values ​​and celebrates differences.

The group’s The goal is to connect groups and communities around the world so they can share knowledge, resources and support and work together to achieve common goals.

MSF – Overcoming taboos to promote women’s sexual health

Good sexual and reproductive health is essential to quality of life for all people, but ensuring the sexual and reproductive health of cisgender and transgender women and girls around the world faces numerous challenges.

doctor Boundless

DWB works to help young girls, transgender women, migrants and refugees gain access to good sexual and reproductive health services. But there is so much stigma in communities, families and even among women themselves that they don’t always come forward or use the tools available to them. In affected areas, living with untreated STIs is simply a way of life.

Nomi Network is a charity working to help combat human trafficking by creating pathways to safe employment and empowering women and girls to break the cycle of slavery in their families and communities.

Women around the world Support women’s rights organizations and movements fighting for equal rights for women and girls so they can live free from fear of violence, have a say in decisions that affect them, and take control of their own lives.

what can you do?

After reading about what actually happened during International Women’s Day, you might be at a loss as to how you can contribute. But there are lots of small ways to make a big difference.

• Research charities and find one you want to donate to (every little bit helps).
• Attend a webinar on a topic you want to learn more about
• Attend a protest or rally
• Celebrate the women in your family
• Volunteer at a Women’s Shelter
• Donate your time and expertise to the right organizations
• Support a friend going through a difficult time
• Stop shaming other women for what they wear, their sexuality, their nature, etc.
• Advocating for gender equality in the workplace
• Start a book club focused on women’s empowerment
• Host film screenings with a clear purpose and have conversations afterward
• Share inspirational quotes for International Women’s Day on social media
• Supporting Women-Owned Businesses
• Women’s sexual health group
• Contact your local representative to learn about their efforts to improve diversity in women’s (sexual) health

Do you have anything else to add about International Women’s Day and diversity in women’s sexual health?