Post by Lone Wanderer on Jul 21, 2019 3:33:28 GMT
Nations with strong women's rights likely to have better population health and faster growth
Trend evident even in resource-poor countries, say researchers
Nations with strong women's rights are more likely to have better health and faster growth than those who don't promote and protect these values.
"The results confirm that even with a lack of resources, if a country has a strong human rights structure, the health outcomes are better," the researchers write.
But countries where civil and political rights alone were highly valued had varying levels of health.
And despite some countries respecting economic, social and cultural rights, they still didn't protect women's economic and social rights.
This is an observational study, which used average health values, and as such, can't establish cause. Further research over longer time periods in countries with similar human rights trends is needed to pinpoint overarching trends, say the researchers.
But gender equality is not just a women's issue, but a development issue, they suggest.
"Since the promotion and protection of women's rights play a fundamental role for progress for states as they unite health, human rights and development, nations that have the ability to promote [women's social and economic rights]...are missing a crucial component in positive health outcomes," they write.
"Today, the value of human rights has often been questioned from an economic standpoint; however, our data find that rather than limit progress, human rights, and [women's economic and social rights] in particular, can only benefit them," they conclude.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190719173557.htm
Trend evident even in resource-poor countries, say researchers
Nations with strong women's rights are more likely to have better health and faster growth than those who don't promote and protect these values.
"The results confirm that even with a lack of resources, if a country has a strong human rights structure, the health outcomes are better," the researchers write.
But countries where civil and political rights alone were highly valued had varying levels of health.
And despite some countries respecting economic, social and cultural rights, they still didn't protect women's economic and social rights.
This is an observational study, which used average health values, and as such, can't establish cause. Further research over longer time periods in countries with similar human rights trends is needed to pinpoint overarching trends, say the researchers.
But gender equality is not just a women's issue, but a development issue, they suggest.
"Since the promotion and protection of women's rights play a fundamental role for progress for states as they unite health, human rights and development, nations that have the ability to promote [women's social and economic rights]...are missing a crucial component in positive health outcomes," they write.
"Today, the value of human rights has often been questioned from an economic standpoint; however, our data find that rather than limit progress, human rights, and [women's economic and social rights] in particular, can only benefit them," they conclude.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190719173557.htm
