Yesterday, International Women's Day (IWD), was a day to raise awareness and a day of celebration. Across the globe governments, organizations and individuals honored the women who have come before us and the women working to better the future. Awareness was raised about key women's issues. One of these top line issues was global health. Global health, as a women's issue, was noted on IWD by leaders and leading organizations.
First Lady Michelle Obama gave remarks yesterday at an IWD reception and she addressed global health. She said, "We're pursuing a global health strategy that makes important investments in child and material health." To illustrate this push, she noted the work of the State Department's creation of the first Office of Global Women's Issues and promotion of women's empowerment.
Organizations like USAID are supporting health and wellbeing projects. USAID showcased their work on IWD by telling uplifting stories of women who are making a difference in international health. They also highlighted USAID's commitment to women's health by focusing on the advancement of family planning and reproduction, maternal and child health and HIV/AIDS.
A variety of other sources addressed women's progress on IWD and many gave suggestions about ways to improve women's health issues. One New York Times blog suggested the importance of improving deworming and micronutrients for women. Another article in VOA News gave alarming figures related the high maternal death rates in Afghanistan. The article said that, "Every 30 minutes one women in Afghanistan dies from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth." These are just a few of the global health discussions on IWD.
If your interested in following "extraordinary times" of women on IWD over the years, you can view a slideshow at: http://online.thomsonreuters.com/womensday/
