Journal of Public Health Policy

, Volume 30, Issue 4, pp 439–454 | Cite as

Examining gender equity in health policies in a low- (Peru), middle- (Colombia), and high- (Canada) income country in the Americas

  • Donna E Stewart
  • Linda M Dorado
  • Natalia Diaz-Granados
  • Marta Rondon
  • Javier Saavedra
  • Jose Posada-Villa
  • Yolanda Torres
Original Article
First Online:

Abstract

Gender inequities in health prevail in most countries despite ongoing attempts to eliminate them. Assessment of gender-sensitive health policies can be used to identify country specific progress as well as gaps and issues that need to be addressed to meet health equity goals. This study selected and measured the existence of gender-sensitive health policies in a low- (Peru), middle- (Colombia), and high (Canada)-income country in the Americas. Investigators selected 10 of 20 gender-sensitive health policy indicators and found eight to be feasible to measure in all three countries, although the wording and scope varied. The results from this study inform policy makers and program planners who aim to develop, improve, implement, and monitor national gender-sensitive health policies. Future studies should assess the implementation of policy indicators within countries and assess their performance in increasing gender equity.

Keywords

equity gender women health policy public health evaluation 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

We thank the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Institute of Gender and Health for support for this study.

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Copyright information

© Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Ltd 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  • Donna E Stewart
    • 1
  • Linda M Dorado
    • 2
  • Natalia Diaz-Granados
    • 3
  • Marta Rondon
    • 4
  • Javier Saavedra
    • 5
  • Jose Posada-Villa
    • 6
  • Yolanda Torres
    • 7
  1. 1.University Health Network Women's Health ProgramTorontoCanada
  2. 2.University Health Network Women's Health ProgramTorontoCanada
  3. 3.University Health Network Women's Health ProgramTorontoCanada
  4. 4.Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
  5. 5.Instituto Nacional de Salud MentalLimaPeru
  6. 6.Universidad JaverianaBogotaColombia
  7. 7.Universidad CESMedellinColombia

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