Publications

Around the world, efforts to reduce poverty and enhance development have had greater success where women and men have relatively equal opportunities. In much of Latin America, however, women's low social status, poor health, and subordination to men persist. Governments in the region increasingly acknowledge the need to promote gender equity in health and other aspects of development, but the data to monitor disparities between men and women, and progress in closing the gaps have not been readily available.

This data sheet profiles gender differences in health and development in 48 countries in the Americas, focusing on women's reproductive health, access to key health services, and major causes of death. Its objective is to raise awareness of gender inequities in the region and to promote the use of sex-disaggregated health statistics for policies and programs. This effort is consistent with the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals, adopted by 189 member countries at the UN Millennium Summit (2000), which focus on achieving measurable improvements in people's lives, including greater gender equality.

The data sheet also provides basic population and development indicators and information on other factors that influence health, including education, employment, political participation, and risk factors. Staff of the Pan American Health Organization and the Population Reference Bureau compiled this information using data from official national sources as well as data collected by specialized international agencies.
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Gender, Health and Development in the Americas- Basic Indicators 2009.

 Gender, Health and Development in the Americas - Basic Indicators 2007.

This paper explores the specific determinants of indigenous women’s health status and situation from a gender roles and relations perspective. It will begin by examining the social status and health determinants of indigenous women throughout the Americas, using available data and examples from seven countries (Canada,Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, and the United States). The paper will continue with a look at health outcomes among indigenous women, identifying the major causes of morbidity and mortality for selected communities.

Finally, the paper outlines the challenges and opportunities for addressing indigenous women’s health and gender equity in the Americas, using specific case studies and existing best practices to support a comprehensive set of recommendations.

 (2000) Domestic Violence: Women’s Way Out is intended to draw attention to violence against women and girls as a priority problem and to identify resources that can help to address it. The situation analysis of domestic violence reveals the complexity of the problem and shows that solving it will require coordinated intersectoral policies and action, with the participation of both the State and civil society. This research protocol is the result of the cumulative work and commitment of numerous investigators, activists, and officials to address violence against women and improve the services available for women affected by it.

The development of the protocol began with the drafting and review of a preliminary version by the team of investigators in the course of three workshops. The final protocol was applied in 15 communities in 10 countries, 7 in Central America and 3 in the Andean area, and it was tailored to each country’s conditions. Through field interviews, qualitative data were collected from a wide range of women, service providers, and community members, representing groups of varying age, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, and marital status.

The analysis offered in this case study considers some of the social underpinnings of risk for homicide and involvement in violence, with the goal of improving the sensitivity and effectiveness of policy and programs though a public health and multi-sector approach to prevention.

Women and men have different socially and culturally defined expectations for ideal body weight, and thus perceive their bodies differently and respond to distinct motivations for gaining or losing weight. Further, their social position, power, access to resources, roles in family and community differ, and have consequences for their access to food and other resources that help promote healthy body weight. Knowledge of these and other distinct factors in the lives of Guatemalan women and men can help to pinpoint opportunities for more strategic, appropriate and efficient means for the prevention of overweight and obesity.

A gender and ethnicity analysis of cancer

Cancer in Manitoba, Canada