Yesterday I moderated a panel of fantastic women on the subject of Health and Reproductive Rights as part of the Igniting Change conference sponsored by the National Council for Research on Women.

An important point that came out yesterday - and that I've been thinking about since - is the "silo" issue. Is women's health a silo within discussions of women's rights and empowerment? Further, is family planning a silo within the issue of women's health?

Too often, we separate ourselves for discussion purposes - based on our constituents and stakeholders. That's because, in the United States, women's health and rights tends inevitably to be associated with abortion, care for the uninsured or whether doctors are too quick to perform Cesarean sections. On the other hand, in the global arena, women's health and rights is focused on maternal mortality, access to family planning, how to get women to a health facility in case she needs a Caesarian section and women's political and legal equality. Yet, in the U.S. we discuss these issues separately. And it is to our detriment since we loose the vision underlying our demand for women's health.

It's tempting for organizations and programs to forgo "controversial" aspects of women's health out of fear of jeopardizing all of their work. "Controversial" typically means abortion but let's not forget that contraception is also victim of political expediency and uncertain funding. It doesn't help that, in this country, contraception is not really considered a "health" issue despite being tied to women's annual gynecological check-ups.

The truth is that women's needs are distinct. Everyone needs clean water but only women can die in childbirth. And the duel challenge of more complex health needs yet less value placed on women's lives in many parts of the world means that often "women's health" is just ignored. And that often leads well-meaning people to address limited aspects of women's health - skilled birth attendants, HIV prevention, etc. But, while it's crucially important that such things are addressed, doing so piecemeal is no solution.

We cannot truly address women's health without simultaneously working to promote women's rights any more than we can elevate the status of women without improving women's health. We'll get nowhere until we crush this silo approach and address the needs of women comprehensively and collaboratively.

There are plenty of us out there - my fellow panelists especially -- who understand the need for us to address the whole of women's health - and within the context of their status and rights.

Finally, the most repeated theme of yesterday's panel was that, despite a greatly improved political environment, we are actually at a point where we need to work harder to build grassroots support for women. No one is going to gift wrap equality for us. We have to demand it.

Americans for UNFPA is building a grassroots movement. We need your help now. Congress will soon be voting on the Foreign Operations budget and we need increased funding for women's issues. Start by declaring your support here.

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June 12, 2009 4:09 PM

[0+]  nthomas00 said:

You are absolutely right about the fact that if women do not demand attention concerning thier health and thier rights, they will continue to be voiceless in this male dominated society.

-Nikki-

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June 13, 2009 9:27 AM

[0+]  Liana said:

I absolutely agree - I attended the panel discussion and it was helpful to hear about the experiences of emerging from the Bush administration's climate, but understanding that there is much to do to emerge from its impact at the local, national and global levels. A key piece I walked away with was the concept that women do not necessarily feel safe talking about abortion and contraception and that needs to change so that the conversation about those topics and about women's health can evolve.

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June 13, 2009 11:08 AM

[0+]  DrKathyKing said:

Great to meet Courtney and her colleagues at Igniting Change!

I appreciate your insightful comments on grassroots organization.

I hope to visit Feministing.com often to see your interests and views. I hope to participate as I see synergies!

Peace to all and Keep blogging for enlightenment.

Thanks for stopping by and talking with me about Transformation Education LLC and We Learn.

~~ Dr Kathy King
Professional Speaker, Author, Professor
http://www.TransformationEd.com/speaker

Twitter: drkpking

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