Dimensions of gender equity in health in East and Southern Africa

This report was commissioned by the Regional Network for Equity in Health in East and Southern Africa (EQUINET). It highlights areas of concern for gender equity in health in East and Southern Africa (ESA), based on a review of published literature. The report provides examples of key areas of gender equity in health drawn from the literature. It raises dimensions of gender equity in health in relation to the contexts for and social determinants of health; in health outcomes; in health systems and options for acting on gender equity in health. The report does not provide a systematic analysis using household data and is not a comprehensive assessment of all dimensions of gender equity. Rather by presenting key dimensions of gender inequity in health in the region, it raises the argument for more systematic audit and mainstreaming of gender within health systems in ESA countries.