Area of focus

Women’s health

The health of women and girls is still too often overlooked, ignored, or adversely affected by discrimination and injustice.

Women’s health

Facts and figures

It’s a global problem

9

years

women spend nine years of life in ill health.

25%

more time

is spent in poor health by women compared to men.

800

women

died every day in 2020 from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

$42

billion

African Development Bank estimates a $42 billion financing gap for women.

There are significant gaps

94%

of cervical cancer deaths

occur in low and middle-income countries.

95%

of maternal deaths

occurred in low and lower middle-income countries in 2020.

33%

of participants

in clinical trials for cardiovascular disease are women.

80%

of patients

diagnosed with autoimmune diseases are women.

WHO’s role in
women’s health

Leader

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) initiatives for women’s health aim to end preventable maternal mortality, promote newborn health and eliminate mother-to-child transmission of communicable diseases.

Policymaker

WHO frameworks guide policy development and implementation in addressing, preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and violence.

Eliminator

WHO leads efforts to eliminate gynecological illnesses such as cervical and breast cancer through targeted initiatives focused on early screening and prevention.

Learn more about WHO’s work here.