Women’s day for women’s health

We like observance days in our line of work because they are ready pegs on which to hang promotions and products. International Women’s Day is one of those days which has turned into a grab bag for many brands – from diamonds and banks to beauty salons and spas. I read a thought-provoking essay by Shalu Nigam in Countercurrents magazine about the increasing commercialisation and depoliticisation of women’s day and what this means for women’s rights as a whole.

While some commercialisation is inevitable, there are plenty of serious women’s health issues that need to be highlighted and that could better leverage this day to increase awareness. Healthcare companies have a role to play in telling stories that can reach women who need to hear them.

The World Health Organisation has identified the top10 health issues affecting women across the world. The top three are cancer, sexual health and maternal health. From improved and earlier detection for cervical cancer to preventing maternal deaths in developing countries, there are urgent issues where clear and actionable communications could make all the difference. Healthcare brands are perhaps best placed to balance out the trivialisation that Shalu Nigam talks about in her powerful essay.