Gender, Health, and Development in the Americas. Basic Indicators 2007

Abstract

[Preface - Dr. Mirta Roses Periago]. Inkeeping with its commitment to disseminate information that will shed light on the gender inequalities that affect the achievement and maintenance of health, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is pleased to present the third issue of its biennial brochure Gender, Health, and Development in the Americas, Basic Indicators 2007.As in previous editions, indicators of the inequalities between women and men in different areas are presented, especially those related to the opportunities for capacity building, the distribution of resources and power, reproductive health, and mortality from certain causes. This edition, furthermore, has made a special effort to include several of the indicators of gender equality and health selected by the United Nations Member States to monitor the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The Task Force on Education and Gender Equality, which is part of the United Nations Millennium Project, recognizes that the indicators identified for monitoring progress toward the third MDG—promote gender equality and empower women—are not enough. As a result, the Task Force proposes seven priority strategies for action that will contribute to the attainment of that MDG and include sexual and reproductive health and rights and violence against women. Several of the complementary indicators proposed in these areas have been included in the present edition. Notwithstanding the progress made in generating statistical information disaggregated by sex, there are still gaps with respect to other variables that would facilitate gender analysis with a diversity approach at the national and subnational levels. The available information shows that inequalities in the Region of the Americas continue to be more entrenched and extreme in poorer populations, some ethnic groups, and certain geographical areas. Ihope that this publication will prove useful to the different sectors of government, civil society, organizations, agencies, the academic community and, in general, anyone interested in these problems.