GRITtv: The F Word: Unequal Power, Unequal Access

"If women are denied a chance to develop their full human potential, including their potential to lead healthier and at least somewhat happier lives, is society as a whole really healthy?" It's not my question -- it's the question raised by Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization which just finished up its first study of women's health. The verdict? Societies are still failing women. While women provide the bulk of health care, they rarely receive the care they need. Sound familiar? WHO tries to win governments over by offering economic incentives to act: because women tend to live longer than men, better deal with their health problems now or pay more later. But really. "We will not see significant progress as long as women are regarded as second-class citizens in so many parts of the world," Dr Chan said. Unequal power relations, she continued, "translate into unequal access to health care and unequal control over health resources." "What does this say about the state of social progress in the 21st century?" asks Dr. Chan. One can only wish she'd ask Rep. Stupak and the House Democrats.