Gender, Equity and Human Rights

The Programme for Gender Equality, Human Rights & Health Equity

WHO’s Programme on Gender Equality, Human Rights and Health Equity strengthens collaboration, coordination and capacity building and learning across the organization; develops and implements technical and policy guidelines, norms, and standards; and support Member States to advance gender equality, human rights and health equity.

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A woman from a Maasai community laughs with a WHO health worker

Global Plan of Action for Health of Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples are custodians and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. In May 2023, the 76th World Health Assembly adopted Resolution 76.16 on the Health of Indigenous Peoples.

Fact sheet on human rights

WHO supports countries to deliver on their human rights commitment to ensure non-discriminatory access to effective, quality health services and the underlying determinants of health.

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Fair share for health and care: gender and the undervaluation of health and care work

The Fair Share report outlines how gender-equitable investments in health and care work can help fully recognize the value of health and care work, to...

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Gender-responsive approaches to the acceptability, availability and affordability of alcohol

Gender-related norms persist in our societies, including in the consumption of alcohol.Despite knowing that men and women consume alcohol differently and...

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Teodor poses for a portrait at his home in the Busmantsi suburb of Sofia, Bulgaria

Q & A on gender and health

Gender norms, roles and relations, and gender inequality, affect people's health all around the world. This Q&A examines the links between gender and health, highlighting WHO's ongoing work to address gender-related barriers to healthcare.

Spotlight

A community netball team trains during the week in preparation for their weekend game

6 Priorities for women and health

Concrete action is needed to ensure women and girls in all their diversity can enjoy the right to health - during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

News

15 January 2024

Departmental news

Extended deadline for feedback on development of a WHO guideline on the health of trans and gender diverse people

20 November 2023

Departmental news

Canada and WHO pursue closer engagement on gender, equity, universal health coverage and more

29 May 2023

Departmental news

Historic resolution calls for action to improve the health of Indigenous Peoples

13 July 2021

Departmental news

Webinar series on Rural Health Equity

Resources

Our work

Publications

Fair share for health and care: gender and the undervaluation of health and care work

Gender-responsive approaches to the acceptability, availability and affordability of alcohol

Questions & answers

Spotlight

News

Human Rights Day 2023

2023 Human Rights Day poster: Health is a human right

You have the right to make decisions about your own health

You have the right to privacy and confidentiality of your health information

You have the right to safe and quality health care without any discrimination

You have the right to information about your treatment, and to informed consent

You have the right to bodily autonomy and integrity

Events

Multimedia

Rural women are 37% of the agricultural force

Almost twice as many babies are born to adolescent girls in rural areas than in urban areas

Rural women play important roles as health and care workers in their communities

Let's amplify the voices of rural women to advance health-related Sustainable Development Goals

There is no place for discrimination, racism and inequality in healthcare

People of African descent play a significant role in public health

People of African descent may experience racism or discrimination in healthcare settings?

Let's stop health inequities

Indigenous Peoples have the right to their traditional medicines

We support the well-being of Indigenous Peoples around the world and celebrate their diversity

International Women's Day 2022 - Sustainable future

International Women's Day 2022 - Leadership

Gender equality: We must do better, and we can

Dr Tedros on Health and gender equality

Ensure dignified and respectful care during childbirth

Gender incongruence

Feature stories

Commentaries

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