Course Contents

1. Introduction 1.1. Defining health 1.2. Health as a gender issue 1.3. Variations in health status of males and females 1.4. Empowerment issues related to health 1.5. Access to health care services and medicines 1.6. Sources of data about health, role of governmental and international agencies (specially UN, WHO, Gynecology and Obstetric Society etc) 1.7. National Forum on women’s Health 2. Life Cycle of Women and Health 2.1. Family environment and health 2.2. Girl child (form birth to puberty) 2.3. Reproduction span; problems and HRT;(Hormone Replacement Therapy) 2.4. Old age Health as human right (gender perspective) 3. Nutrition and Women’s Health 3.1. Concept of nutrition 3.2. Interrelationship between health and nutrition 3.3. Socio-economic and cultural factors effecting selection and intake of food. Nutritional value of food and balanced diet 3.4. Diseases that could be prevented and cured (e.g. obesity, diabetes, ovarian and heart diseases etc) 4. Reproduction and Health 4.1. Reproduction; approaches/issue proximate determinates of fertility (marriage, contraception, abortion breast feeding) 4.2. Sexual health and diseases (e.g. RTI, SRD, HIV/AIDS) 4.3. Preventive and communicable diseases related to women 4.4. Cancers (cervical, breast, ovarian) 4.5. Infertility 4.6. Traditional practices (e.g. female circumcision) 4.7. Reproductive health technology 5. Health Related Legislations 5.1. Policies and health education 5.2. Current legislation and international convention, 5.3. Effect of various laws on women’s health, 5.4. Needs for legislation on some aspects (e.g. domestic violence, incest, sexual harassment etc.) 5.5. Population policy (world, Muslim world and Pakistan) health policy and planning in Pakistan; 6. Major Health Issues 6.1. Mental health 6.2. Occupational health 6.3. Early marriage 6.4. Cousin marriage 6.5. Impact of discriminating laws (1974-84) on reproductive health

Course Synopsis

This course will introduce students to the theoretical concept of gender and its relation to health. It will cover the variety of health-related issues including reproductive health, aging, cancers, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health, occupational health, etc. that illustrate global, national, and historical perspectives. It will also draw attention to the gender differences in access to health services and health-related policies and legislations. Course Objectives Introducing basic concepts of gender and health with the perspective of theory and application.

Course Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the students will be able to • Develop analytical skills needed to evaluate women’s experiences in the access to health facilities • Take preventive measures to reduce the chances of many fatal diseases • Understand the existing health-related policies and legislation and its implications • Conduct research on different health-related topics and add new knowledge and give recommendations in this field