Gender equity and universal health coverage in India

February 18, 2011

Although India is presently ranked by the UN as a middle-income country, recent findings from the World Economic Forum place the country among the lowest ranked nations in terms of gender equity.3 Women are less likely to be literate, continue in their education, participate in the labour force, receive equal pay for similar work, and hold a political position than are men (figure). Although such concerns are not unique to India, they are linked to some gender-specific health vulnerabilities in the country, such as the marriage of young girls and non-use of modern contraception. (The Lancet)