Why, more than 100 years after it was first celebrated, do we still need to observe International Women's Day? Surely, as women make up more than half of the world's population, the need for it has passed? Unfortunately not, and nor is this simply an issue for the developing world: it affects us here in the UK too.
In 2018, 100 years after some women (those who were property owners and aged over 30) got the vote, women still make up less than one-third of MPs at Westminster and 17% of council leaders. Why does this matter? It is not that decisions affecting women can only be made by women, but women's voices need to be heard to avoid important matters being sidelined. Most MPs recognise that they need to represent the interests of all their constituents; however, it appears to be no coincidence that countries whose legislatures achieve gender balance, such as in Scandinavia, seem to have improved equality overall.
Much of the gender equality data focus on women in the workplace or on their role as decision makers. These data are important, but it is worth reflecting on how our society protects and supports women and girls. Women are less likely to commit crime than men, but are much more likley to be a victim of domestic violence (Ministry of Justice, 2017). In some cases, pregnancy is a trigger, and homicide associated with pregnancy remains an issue (Knight et al, 2017). Women's experience of domestic violence and their concerns being dismissed by the police remains a regular item in the news. Why?
The money spent on maternity services has barely changed (less than 3% by most recent figures) (Poulter, 2013), despite increases in the birth rate. Given that birth is the most common reason for admission to hospital (NHS Digital, 2017), why is there so little funding? Even with the focus on reducing perinatal and maternal mortality, anecdotal evidence shows that services in England cannot afford the recommended schedule of scans or glucose tolerance testing. Reductions in access to family planning services is another area that disproportionately affects women—even in the UK, there is no universal access to safe abortion. Yes, the NHS is under pressure, but surely getting healthcare right from the start, to ensure the wellbeing of the next generation, should be a greater priority?
Globally, we know that equal access to food and education are important in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity by increasing women's age at marriage, ensuring physical maturity at first pregnancy and increasing women's capacity to be economically active. Why does this matter to us in Britain? In short, if women with health inequalities move to the UK, they will need additional care when they access maternity services. In the most recent maternal mortality report, 26% of deaths were among women not born in the UK (Knight et al, 2017).
Let us hope that, in the near future, women will not be seen as a minority, but that services, access to positions of influence and women's health outcomes will be equal to their needs.