International Day of Action for Women’s Health

Observed annually on 28 May since 1987, this global day advocates for the protection and advancement of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights while calling for comprehensive, equitable, and quality healthcare services for women throughout their lives. It highlights persistent gaps such as high maternal mortality, limited access to reproductive healthcare, gender bias in medical research, and the need for women-centered health policies.

Theme Focus

This theme underscores that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and justice must remain a top priority even amid overlapping global crises (conflict, political instability, climate change) — not treated as a dispensable extra. It's a call to action for feminist resistance and solidarity in defending SRHR.

Key Priorities

• Reducing maternal mortality rates through quality emergency obstetric care.
• Ensuring universal access to comprehensive reproductive health services and family planning.
• Closing sex-based gaps in medical research and clinical trials.
• Eliminating financial and cultural barriers to women’s healthcare.
• Promoting policies that respect women’s autonomy and informed consent.
• Strengthening gender-responsive health systems and training for healthcare providers.

Key Concepts

• Women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
• Gender-based health disparities and inequities.
• Maternal mortality and morbidity.
• Reproductive autonomy and family planning.
• Gender bias in clinical research and healthcare delivery.
• Holistic women’s health across the life course.
• Empowerment and decision-making in healthcare.