Women’s Health and Well-Being in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: A Narrative Review of Achievements and Gaps in the Gulf States

Abstract

Background: In 2014, United Nations member states proposed a set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) to help further the millennium development goals that they had proposed in New York in 2000. Of these 13 SDGs, Goal 3 (i.e., SDG 3) was titled “Good Health and Well-Being.” This goal highlighted women’s health and well-being via two key objectives. The first, SDG 3.1, aimed to reduce maternal mortality rates (MMR) and the second, SDG 3.7, aimed to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health care services. Drawing on all the latest reports, which have been released by Gulf Cooperation Council states (GCC), this paper sheds light on GCC states’ work on women’s wellbeing through SDG 3. Aim: the paper aims to review GCC states’ work on women’s wellbeing in SDG3, which achievements they obtained, which tools they used and which gaps still exist. The paper aims to explain the socio-cultural background behind these achievements, tools, and gaps. Methodology: For the purpose of this study, we used narrative review approach through which we reviewed reports from 2017 and 2018 on SDGs published online by the Ministry of Development and Planning of each GCC state, and latest reports of the WHO on the same states. Findings: the study found similarities and differences between different GCC states, which in turn reveals gaps and areas that are not meeting women’s needs. The findings show that MMR in GCC countries has declined by nearly half. The main strategies they adopted to address SDG 3.1 included awareness campaigns, improving access to healthcare systems and training professionals. The tools used to meet SDG 3.7 included training health professionals and raising awareness of consanguinity. The study reveals several gaps, such as a lack of discussion around challenges and barriers, and a lack of linkage between an SDG and the targets contained within it. Conclusion: The paper concludes that there is a much greater emphasis on reducing MMR, compared to providing access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. This difference is due to different socio-cultural framing of each of these two issues.

Psychosocial Aspects of Female Breast Cancer in the Middle East and North Africa

“…We argue that researchers and health care workers should give these factors as much attention as they do the physical symptoms. We assume that the absence of studies on sexual functioning indicates that the sexuality, sexual health, and sexual functioning of women and their ability to express their attitudes and feelings toward it are still considered inappropriate or taboo [ 88 ]. Similarly, the social stigma surrounding mental health constitutes a barrier to seeking help for the patient, and a barrier to researchers in asking patients about the issue [ 89 ].…”

Measurement of sustainable higher education development: Evidence from China

“…To find appropriate influencing factors to measure SHED, studies seek approaches to measure SHED [19]. In detail, the UN proposes the following dimensions of sustainability in education: inclusiveness, gender equality, qualified education, lifelong education, and social interactions [20,21]. Berchem proposes that competitive higher education depends on scientific research, economic contributions, and social and cultural interactions [22].…”

Perceptions of Inequity in the Provision and Utilization of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Services in Tigray, Ethiopia. A Qualitative Explorative Study

“…Education also enhances women's autonomy (24,42) to decide to attend services (1). Achieving equity in the SDG 3 targets for maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes depends on reaching access to education, as de ned in SDG 4 (45). Hence, media and education programs should contribute to reducing gender-based and educational inequities.…”

“…A systematic review done in low-income countries showed that inequities in maternal and child health services utilization occur in the intersection between social determinants of health (42) and poorly functioning health systems (52). Thus, addressing poverty (SDG 1), coverage and quality of education (SDG 4), ensuring gender equality (SDG 5), and ensuring good health and well-being (SDG 3) will substantially reduce inequities (45). Equity-oriented policies and interventions need to be integrated with social development programs, such as targeting poverty reduction, promoting gender equality and empowerment, and mitigating inequalities (42,50).…”