Women have contributed to the evolution of society in unspeakable ways. From mothers to educators, doctors to soldiers; women have advanced our communities with elegance and grace.
Yet, accessibility to women’s health education is minimal and difficult, especially for women in the global south. As women continue to elevate the standard of society, their ability to learn about their bodies is not nearly as simple as it should be.
In a world plagued with misinformation, it is vital – now more than ever – for women to unify in their collective experience to ensure information regarding their reproductive health is factual and accessible. Across cultures, women are taking the initiative to educate one another on their health through sharing their experiences, knowledge, and resources.
They are taking a grassroots approach to the empowerment of their community. Women all over the world are utilizing tools such as social media to express their experiences in healthcare, both positive and negative, to help other women achieve their physical goals.
According to Statista, there are approximately 3.95 billion women in the world. That is nearly half of the global population. With such a large population, women have the power to aid in educating one another about the complexities of their bodies, ensuring physical development is well comprehended.
Women’s health, specifically reproductive health, has been a taboo line of conversation. In many cultures, women and girls are forced to remain silent while their physical health is harmed because the men of their communities have no interest in discussing the issues. Access to dependable and factual information regarding women’s issues and health can be limited in underserved communities all over the world.
Peer to peer education initiatives provide a means of entry for these women to learn abundantly about their health from women who have experienced much similar to them. Foremost, these peer to peer structures also furnish women with a supply of reliable health professionals and resources that can assist with any medical issues endured.
One such program is Girls Health Ed, which transforms women and girls into health advocates and ambassadors in their communities. Their initiative aids in educating young women about health realities such as menstrual cycles, sexual safety and health, reproductive rights, and much more.
Amy Beckley, Ph.D and CEO at Proov – an individual who utilizes her own experience with infertility and reproductive trauma to assist women in their journey to conceive – asserts: “Womanhood is more than just a single individual. It is a promise between all of us – regardless of our race, religion, color, or creed – to motivate, inspire, and provide an endless cycle of support for one another. That is sisterhood.”
The unification of women is a principle that holds eternal possibilities. Think of your sister, cousin, or closest girlfriend; the relationship that is built in your femininity is rock solid. We trust the women in our lives because we place a great deal of value and weight on the information they share with us. Things as miniscule as dating advice reigns supreme when it comes from a trusted female confidant.
The same is true in regards to information regarding women’s health. Historically dominating the education system, women have been teachers their entire lives. Whether it be in the classroom, in the home, or even in conversations with friends and family, the female population has a way to teach the masses something new.
While women might have the purest of intentions in teaching one another, unfortunately, they face an uphill battle. Misinformation and cultural resistance will proceed to push back on their mission to empower one another in their knowledge of health.
Nevertheless, their movement will continue to gain traction as they prioritize their educational initiatives. With young advocates such as Malala Yousafzai, Greta Thunberg, Iesha Evans, and many more, the future of the crusade for women’s education looks bright.
Women are an integral part of our world. They contribute endlessly to global growth because they are an essential part of it. Taking matters into their own hands, this community of courageous human beings will advance their collective knowledge. From informal meetings to organized lectures, the power of women to empower one another is beyond our imagination.