Quality Health Care for Women in Iraq

Background

The lack of women’s empowerment in Iraq represents a significant public health issue as it potentially has a negative impact on women’s health. There is every indication that this will lead to a negative impact on Iraq’s long-term socio-economic development. The link between the empowerment of women and improved national economic outcomes has been recognised by many global institutions.

For women to be truly empowered, areas around improving health, nutrition and education need to be addressed. This needs to be done in terms of the general population of course, but must be considered in direct relation to gender also.

Currently, the most significant barriers to health care in Iraq include:

• The deterioration in the security situation in Iraq ( including psychological and social impacts)
• Economic and geographical barriers
• Displacement
• Cultural factors
• The deterioration in health care services and out-dated standards

In order to see improvements in access to quality health care, consideration must be given to making health services affordable, with health care facilities being within safe physical reach for all sections of the Iraqi population ( i.e. accessible to vulnerable women and people with disabilities).

In short, healthcare facilities must be accessible to all without discrimination.

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