The World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

Founded on 7 April, 1948, this date is now used to celebrate World Health Day. Its headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland with regional offices throughout the world. The WHO has 193 Member States.

WHO's work on Women's Health

The Gender and Women's Health Department (GWH) is responsible for the WHO's work on women's health. GWH advocates gender equality in health for women and men around the world. It brings attention to the ways in which biological and socio-cultural factors affect the health of women and men, boys and girls. It aims to increase knowledge and strengthen the health sector response by gathering evidence, strengthening capacity and engaging in advocacy on how gender and gender inequality affect health.

Main strategies:

• Increase knowledge and evidence on the impact of gender inequalities on specific health problems, health services and successful responses;
  
• Develop tools to promote and expand health sector policies, interventions and programmes at the regional and country level that systematically address gender concerns, including gender-based violence;
  
• Develop skills and build capacity, within and outside WHO, to promote policies and programmes that help women and men to lead healthy lives and benefit from health care services;
  
• Improve public understanding of gender issues by developing advocacy materials and activities;
  
• Create awareness and provide support to WHO Member States to design and promote gender-sensitive health policies and strategies.
  
  

Sources

• www.who.int