A Gender Analysis Of Health Policy In Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is signatory to international commitments to promote gender equality and equity. This has seen introduction of a number of gender mainstreaming policy initiatives in the last ten years. Despite these initiatives gender mainstreaming still needs a lot to do in all sectors of policy. Therefore, aim of this research is to analyze the policies of health sector and analyze the extent to which it has been adapted to gender needs. For secondary analysis the original policy documents and other reports and studies related to the health sector were analyzed. Gender Reform Action Plan (GRAP) was also analyzed which is the main instrument through which the government of Pakistan seeks to address the deep rooted gender inequality in Pakistani society. Analysis shows that the redressing discrimination on gender biasness is necessary to ensure equality and equity to less class privileged groups. Results also show that in health policy the gender component is included but superficially. If policies do not consciously aim to reduce inequalities as their primary target, whether these inequalities are in the form of income/asset distribution, in access to effective social protection, or by way of legal citizenship rights, these policies will necessarily result in discrimination. Eliminating the social and economic hurdles that obstruct equality must be the foundation of every policy intention, otherwise policy initiatives will merely end up duplicating and reinforcing existing discrimination against marginalised sectors, especially women, minorities and the poor.