IWD offers an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made for women's health
Worldwide, many women await gynaecological care, with many women facing months, or even years, waiting for diagnosis and treatment for conditions that cause chronic pain, infertility and serious disruption to daily life.
As a centre of excellence, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has been working to transform women’s health and reproductive care for over 90 years. Its work is highly impressive and impactful.
According to RCOG, health inequalities also persist. "Women in the most deprived areas face shorter life expectancy and higher maternal risk, while Black women remain two to three times more likely to die during pregnancy or shortly after birth than white women. At the same time, the workforce delivering care is under increasing pressure, with nearly two thirds of obstetricians and gynaecologists reporting they are at risk of burnout. Globally, the challenges are even more stark. Every two minutes a woman dies from pregnancy or childbirth complications, 164 million women still lack access to contraception, and one in three women experience gender-based violence in their lifetime."
Internationally, the World Health Organisation’s Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health estimates a tenfold return on investments in the health and nutrition of women, children and adolescents.
Meanwhile, RCOG has over 8,500 international members, with Fellows, Members and Associates across every continent, driving improvements in the health of women and girls worldwide. Programmes, like RCOG’s Gynaecological Health Matters (GHM) initiative, are strengthening clinical training and improving access to essential women’s health services globally.
RCOG continues to support its international community with access to high-quality education and training so they can deliver the best possible care in their regions. For example, a partnership with the Malaysian Ministry of Health and the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia will establish a structured, internationally recognised obstetrics and gynaecology training programme, helping to expand the number of specialists and strengthen standards of care for women and girls across Malaysia.
Investing in women’s health benefits everyone
"This year’s International Women’s Day theme - Give to Gain - reflects a clear reality: investing in women’s health benefits everyone. In England alone, absenteeism linked to conditions such as severe period pain, endometriosis and fibroids costs the economy nearly £11 billion each year. Yet for every £1 invested per woman in obstetrics and gynaecology services, there is an estimated £11 return," said RCOG.
On a global scale, McKinsey has estimated that closing the gap in women’s health could generate at least $1 trillion annually by 2040. The potential benefits across global economies if that level of growth were generated every single year is huge.
"Improving women’s health strengthens communities, supports workforce participation and reduces long-term pressure on health systems. This International Women’s Day, governments must recognise that to gain more, they must be willing to give more - through sustained investment, prioritisation and long-term commitment to women’s health," said the group.
Reflecting on International Women’s Day, Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said: "Give to Gain, this year’s International Women’s Day theme, resonates deeply with me. Over the next three years, I am absolutely committed to giving my time, energy and my voice to leading the College in pushing for better: better women’s health, better for maternity safety, and better support for the professionals who provide that care every day. Every day, our amazing RCOG members, across the UK and the globe, play a crucial role in improving the health of women and girls, through their expertise, and the vital care they give. On this International Women’s Day, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our members, for their tireless dedication and commitment, often in extremely challenging circumstances. We must continue to call on governments around the world to give women’s health the priority and sustained funding it needs and deserves, so that we will all gain; leading to healthier communities, a stronger workforce and more robust healthcare systems. I very much look forward to leading and working with all our members, partners and policymakers, to turn this ambition, ‘Give to Gain’ into positive, tangible, and meaningful change.”
Kate Lancaster, CEO of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists added: “At the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, every day is International Women’s Day. Our mission is to improve the health of women and girls around the world and this day is an opportunity to restate that commitment. At times, it can feel as though progress in women’s health and rights is fragile. That makes it all the more important to recognise positive change where it is happening and to keep pushing forward. Every day, RCOG members across the globe are working to improve the health of women and girls. Through education and training, setting clinical standards, advancing research and driving innovation, they are shaping the future of our profession and improving care. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate their dedication and recommit ourselves to ensuring that improving women’s health is not just a priority for one day, but a mission that guides us every day.”
Learn more about the outstanding work and impact of RCOG.