Health Equity, Gender Justice, and the Social Determinants of Health
1
School of Social and Economic Studies, Department of Political Science, University of Juba, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Health inequities remain a major global challenge, disproportionately affecting women, girls, and marginalized populations. These disparities arise from the unequal distribution of social determinants of health—including income, education, employment, housing, environmental exposure, and access to quality healthcare^1, 2. Gender norms and structural inequalities shape who becomes ill, who receives care, and who experiences preventable suffering^3. Understanding how gender justice intersects with these determinants is critical for building inclusive health systems. Intersectional analysis shows how structural barriers differently affect individuals across gender, age, disability, class, and location^4, 6.
METHODS:
This study draws on a qualitative synthesis of literature, policy reviews, and gender analyses to examine how structural gender inequalities influence health outcomes. The approach applies an intersectional gender framework^4, assessing how age, disability, rural residence, and socio-economic status interact with gender to shape healthcare access, risk exposure, and health-seeking behaviour. The review also assesses existing health equity frameworks^5 and gender-responsive interventions in low- and middle-income settings.
RESULTS:
Findings show that gendered power imbalances—including discriminatory norms, unequal control of resources, gender-based violence, and unpaid care work—directly affect access to and utilisation of health services^3,6. Women and girls frequently face restricted mobility, limited decision-making power, and inadequate reproductive health information, leading to delayed or foregone care. Adolescent girls, displaced women, and persons with disabilities face compounded barriers that intensify inequities. Evidence suggests that gender-responsive policies, community-based interventions, and multisectoral strategies reduce disparities when they address structural determinants^1,5.
CONCLUSIONS:
Achieving health equity and gender justice requires transforming all conditions shaping health outcomes. Efforts must extend beyond clinical care to address inequalities, strengthen legal protections, expand reproductive health rights, and confront systemic power imbalances^7. A human rights-based approach^8 aligned with global and regional gender frameworks^9,10 is essential for building inclusive, resilient health systems that promote dignity and equal opportunity for all.
Health inequities remain a major global challenge, disproportionately affecting women, girls, and marginalized populations. These disparities arise from the unequal distribution of social determinants of health—including income, education, employment, housing, environmental exposure, and access to quality healthcare^1, 2. Gender norms and structural inequalities shape who becomes ill, who receives care, and who experiences preventable suffering^3. Understanding how gender justice intersects with these determinants is critical for building inclusive health systems. Intersectional analysis shows how structural barriers differently affect individuals across gender, age, disability, class, and location^4, 6.
METHODS:
This study draws on a qualitative synthesis of literature, policy reviews, and gender analyses to examine how structural gender inequalities influence health outcomes. The approach applies an intersectional gender framework^4, assessing how age, disability, rural residence, and socio-economic status interact with gender to shape healthcare access, risk exposure, and health-seeking behaviour. The review also assesses existing health equity frameworks^5 and gender-responsive interventions in low- and middle-income settings.
RESULTS:
Findings show that gendered power imbalances—including discriminatory norms, unequal control of resources, gender-based violence, and unpaid care work—directly affect access to and utilisation of health services^3,6. Women and girls frequently face restricted mobility, limited decision-making power, and inadequate reproductive health information, leading to delayed or foregone care. Adolescent girls, displaced women, and persons with disabilities face compounded barriers that intensify inequities. Evidence suggests that gender-responsive policies, community-based interventions, and multisectoral strategies reduce disparities when they address structural determinants^1,5.
CONCLUSIONS:
Achieving health equity and gender justice requires transforming all conditions shaping health outcomes. Efforts must extend beyond clinical care to address inequalities, strengthen legal protections, expand reproductive health rights, and confront systemic power imbalances^7. A human rights-based approach^8 aligned with global and regional gender frameworks^9,10 is essential for building inclusive, resilient health systems that promote dignity and equal opportunity for all.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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