POLICY BRIEF

Women’s Health as a Cornerstone of
Achieving Universal Health Coverage

Women’s health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being across the life course, shaped by biological factors, social determinants, and systemic inequities. Despite global commitments to gender equity, women continue to face disproportionate barriers in accessing quality care, from reproductive and maternal health to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and aging. The WHO Constitution affirms the right to health, and advancing women’s health is both a human rights imperative and a cornerstone of achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A life-course approach is essential, recognizing that women’s health needs evolve through different stages: adolescence (sexual and reproductive health education, HPV vaccination, mental well-being), reproductive years (maternal health, family planning, prevention of gender-based violence), midlife (management of non-communicable diseases and mental health), and aging (menopause, osteoporosis, dementia, and elder care). This Fast-Track Health policy brief explores best practices through five case studies, discusses challenges and opportunities, and provides actionable recommendations for municipal, national, and regional health authorities.

Maternal Mortality Reduction in Rwanda: Rwanda’s investments in community health workers, emergency obstetric care, and universal health insurance contributed to a steep decline in maternal mortality over two decades. Integrating reproductive health into primary care ensured accessibility for rural women, while strong political commitment enabled accountability mechanisms for maternal outcomes. These efforts were reinforced by community mobilization and routine data tracking, which helped identify gaps and target interventions more effectively. Rwanda’s experience demonstrates that low-income countries can make transformative progress when political will and health system strengthening align. (WHO, 2021)

HPV Vaccination in Botswana: Botswana pioneered a national HPV vaccination program for adolescent girls, reducing cervical cancer risks in one of the world’s highest-burden regions. School-based delivery and community mobilization achieved coverage rates above 90%, setting an example for other African nations. The government partnered with global agencies to secure vaccine supply and ensure sustainability of the program. Ongoing evaluation shows early evidence of reduced HPV prevalence, strengthening the case for scale-up across the region. (Lancet Oncology, 2019)

Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in South Africa: South Africa integrated GBV screening and counseling into primary health services, recognizing violence as a health determinant. Training healthcare workers to identify and respond to GBV improved referrals and support for survivors, though stigma and underreporting remain challenges. Partnerships with civil society organizations strengthened survivor support networks, including legal aid and shelter access. This model underscores the importance of multisectoral collaboration to tackle complex health and social challenges. (BMC Public Health, 2020)

Cardiovascular Health Awareness-Raising in the United States: Women-specific research uncovered sex-based differences in heart disease presentation, leading to tailored prevention guidelines and awareness campaigns such as “Go Red for Women.” Yet disparities persist, particularly among Black and Hispanic women, highlighting the intersection of race, gender, and health. Advocacy by patient groups has also pushed for greater representation of women in clinical trials. Despite progress, gender bias in diagnosis and treatment continues to drive preventable morbidity and mortality. (American Heart Association, 2022)

Maternal Mental Health in India: Pilot programs in India embedded perinatal depression screening into antenatal care, linking women to counseling and support groups. This approach reduced postpartum depression rates and demonstrated the feasibility of integrating mental health into maternal health services. The initiative also trained midwives and nurses to deliver culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions, ensuring sustainability. As the model expands, it offers lessons for embedding mental health into maternal and child health systems globally. (The Lancet Psychiatry, 2017)

Women’s health continues to be constrained by structural inequities, gender norms, and gaps in health systems. High maternal mortality rates in some regions reflect uneven access to emergency obstetric services, while underinvestment in sexual and reproductive health limits progress toward universal access. Non-communicable diseases disproportionately affect women later in life, yet most health systems remain overly focused on maternal and reproductive health alone. Gender-based violence, stigma around mental health, and systemic discrimination perpetuate vulnerabilities. Moreover, persistent underrepresentation of women in research, clinical trials, and leadership roles in health governance means policies and interventions often fail to capture women’s lived experiences and diverse health needs. Additionally, health workforce shortages – particularly of midwives and female providers – compound the inequities in service delivery. Climate change, conflict, and humanitarian crises exacerbate these vulnerabilities, further marginalizing women in fragile settings.

Opportunities to improve women’s health lie in scaling up evidence-based interventions and embedding them within UHC frameworks. Strengthening primary care systems with a gender-responsive lens can ensure continuity of care across the life course. Policies that integrate maternal, sexual and reproductive, mental, and non-communicable disease services reduce fragmentation and enhance equity. Expanding investments in digital health, mobile outreach, and community-based initiatives offers scalable ways to reach women in underserved communities. Multisectoral collaboration – including education, labor, and justice sectors – can address social determinants such as GBV, nutrition, and economic empowerment. With political commitment and financing aligned to SDGs and UHC, women’s health can serve as a foundation for societal resilience and intergenerational well-being.