Fairness, Equality and Health: Towards a Gender-Oriented Perspective

The gender perspective includes not only sex differences among human beings but rather social, cultural and economic attributes related with femininity and masculinity in a certain culture. Gender inequalities mean disadvantages and marginalisation caused by social norms and stereotypes. Most of gender inequalities impact on women; but this can happen also towards men and LGBT people. Gender equity is the process of being fair to women and men, while gender equality is the equal enjoyment by women and men of socially valued goods, opportunities, resources and rewards. Gender equity and gender equality are part of the international policy agendas since long time, but in the last decades, the emphasis on this issue has increased: UN, OECD, the European Commission and other international or national governmental organisms put in their agendas important issues concerning gender equity and equality. Gender equality is related with the protection of human rights, the functioning of democracy, the respect for the rule of law and the economic growth and competitiveness. Gender equality is a condition for human health, well-being and fulfilment.