PAHO’s Progress on Gender Equality in Health 2009–2019

Abstract

Reducing gender disparities in health outcomes in the Americas remains a challenge, especially for groups with less economic and social empowerment. Member States of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) approved the PAHO Gender Equality Policy in 2005 and its associated Gender Equality Plan of Action in 2009. The goal of the Gender Equality Policy is to contribute to improved commitment and responses from ministries of health and the Pan American Sanitary Bureau for better health outcomes for diverse women, men, and children of the Americas. This brochure presents the highlights of the 2020 PAHO Gender Equality Policy: Progress Report, which describes the clear achievements of Member States and the Pan American Sanitary Bureau as well as the gaps in advancing gender mainstreaming in the health sector. It serves as an effective and attractive snapshot of the gains and remaining challenges to achieve gender equality in health in the Americas.