Traditionally, women have always been the caregivers for their family and in doing so they tend to disregard their own health. Other factors also have a bearing on women’s health including socioeconomic and cultural factors, geography, ignorance, illiteracy, poor nutrition, lack of access to healthcare facilities. Women are often subject to violence and subjugated.

Women’s health has several dimensions and their healthcare needs are unique to them. Yet their health issues have largely been ignored. There is less awareness about women’s health issues and unfortunately a gender bias exists in the care that is provided to them.

There are some health problems that affect only women such as cervical cancer, breast cancer, while there are some health issues such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes that women share with men. But their clinical presentation differs between men and women. For instance, coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in women. Despite this, they are not diagnosed or treated as aggressively as are men. Women undergo coronary reperfusion or receive other guideline-based care less often than do men. Symptoms of a heart attack in women differ from those in men resulting in misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. Outcomes of heart disease in women are often less favorable than in men. Some risk factors for heart disease are unique to women such as postmenopausal status, prior hysterectomy, oral contraceptive use and pregnancy and its complications.

Mental health is another very significant aspect of women’s health. Women are more prone to depression, anxiety disorders; eating disorders are also more prevalent in women. Additionally, women have reproductive health needs that vary from the young adolescent to the older postmenopausal woman.

The Government of South Africa first proposed the idea of earmarking a day to highlight women’s health. The International Day of Action for Womens Health, also known as the International Womens Health Day, has been celebrated every year on May 28 since its inception in 1987. The objective is to create awareness about the importance of women’s health issues, remove gender bias and other inequities in healthcare and to make quality healthcare, including preventive care, accessible to women. This day also symbolizes the work done by organizations across the world to address their health needs and advocacy for womens rights.

It is time that women’s health gets the attention that it deserves and on priority. For this it is imperative to understand their unique healthcare needs. Only then can women receive affordable and appropriate care and support they need to maintain good health and well-being.