May 28th. More than just a date, it’s a call to action. The International Day of Action for Women’s Health serves as a striking reminder that health is not a luxury but a fundamental right, too often violated, too often relegated to the background, especially when it comes to women’s bodies. And while this observation is universal, it resonates with particular urgency on the African continent, where challenges are numerous, voices sometimes unheard, and progress, though real, still too fragile.
For L’Africaine, a media outlet committed to the emancipation and empowerment of African women, this day is an opportunity to shed light on sometimes obscured realities, to highlight heartbreaking injustices, but also to celebrate courageous initiatives and hopeful prospects for the future.
Africa: A Land of Contrasts and Challenges for Women’s Health
The picture is complex. On one hand, there’s unparalleled cultural richness, demographic vitality, and unwavering resilience. On the other, there are often underfunded healthcare systems, inadequate infrastructure, a troubling lack of qualified personnel (who, if present, denounce their working conditions), and inequalities in access to care that create vast divides between urban and rural populations, between the rich and the poor.
Maternal health is a striking example. While significant progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality in Africa, thousands of women continue to lose their lives each year due to complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, which are often preventable. Insufficient access to prenatal care, a shortage of qualified personnel (and good working conditions) for assisted deliveries, the distances to travel to reach a health facility, and waiting times for treatment are all factors that turn a joyous event into a tragedy.
Beyond maternity, other major issues persist. Gender-based violence, whether physical, sexual, or psychological, has devastating repercussions on women’s physical and mental health, leading to trauma, sexually transmitted infections, depression, and even suicide. Yet, access to psychological and medical support services for victims is often limited, and the taboo surrounding this violence hinders open discussion.
Non-communicable diseases, such as breast and cervical cancer, also represent a growing threat. Screening is often delayed, treatments are costly and inaccessible, and awareness is insufficient, leading to diagnoses at advanced stages, drastically reducing chances of survival.
Old Ills, Persistent Obstacles
More deeply, complex social and cultural factors hinder women’s autonomy in health matters. The weight of traditions, sometimes ancient, can influence decisions regarding one’s body, contraception, family planning, or even the choice to consult a doctor. The subordinate position of women in some societies can limit their ability to make informed decisions about their own bodies and well-being.
Access to education, especially for young girls, is also a crucial lever. An educated woman is a woman who is better informed about her health, better able to make informed decisions, and better able to defend her rights. Unfortunately, girls’ education is still too often sacrificed, perpetuating a vicious cycle of vulnerability.
Hope, Between Local Initiatives and Global Commitment
Yet, Africa is not just a continent of challenges. It’s also a land of innovation, resilience, and hope. Numerous local initiatives, led by committed women and men, are emerging, transforming realities and inspiring change. From mobile clinics to awareness campaigns in remote villages, to the development of telemedicine, African ingenuity is at the service of women’s health.
Civil society organizations play a vital role in advocacy, awareness, and the provision of health services. They are the voices of the marginalized, the driving forces of change, and the guardians of rights.
Furthermore, the commitment of African governments and the international community to improving women’s health is growing. Innovative health policies are being implemented, partnerships are being forged with key institutions such as UNFPA, UN Women, UNICEF, and WHO, and investments are being made to strengthen health systems and ensure universal access to care.
A Call to Action for a Healthy Africa
May 28th is not just a day of commemoration; it’s a call to action. A call to:
Strengthen African healthcare systems: By increasing investments, training more qualified personnel, improving infrastructure and working conditions, and ensuring access to essential medicines.
Combat inequalities: By reducing disparities in access to care between urban and rural areas, the rich and the poor, and by ensuring that no one is left behind.
Eradicate gender-based violence: By strengthening laws, offering comprehensive support to victims, and conducting awareness campaigns to change mindsets.
Promote girls’ education: As a fundamental lever for women’s empowerment and the improvement of their health.
Give women a voice: By involving them in decision-making, listening to their needs, and recognizing their central role in the development of their communities.
The health of African women is not just a matter of figures and statistics. It’s a matter of dignity, justice, and progress. It is the cornerstone of sustainable and equitable development for the entire continent. On this International Day of Action for Women’s Health, let us commit, collectively, to ensuring that every African woman can enjoy her fundamental right to health, and thereby flourish fully and contribute to Africa’s radiance. So that May 28th is no longer just a reminder, but the symbol of a collective victory.