Misunderstanding gender is harming global health, says new Lancet report

By A Representative 

A groundbreaking report released by The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health warns that a global misunderstanding and politicisation of gender is severely undermining health outcomes worldwide. Unveiled at a high-level event in Delhi, the report brings together voices from over 100 global leaders in academia, policy, and civil society.

Titled “Achieving Gender Justice for Global Health Equity,” the report finds that gender has become a divisive and weaponised issue in public health, manipulated by political interests and ideologies. This has led to stalled or regressive health policies in multiple regions, putting lives at risk and threatening years of progress.

A Global Wake-Up Call

The Commission, comprising experts from nine countries, reveals that the negative framing and opposition to gender equity are significantly impacting national and international health systems. The report calls this moment “the fight of our lives” for health experts, who must combat anti-gender rhetoric and champion inclusive policies.

“Misunderstandings of gender have contributed to unequal health outcomes,” said Dr. Indrani Gupta, Commissioner and Head of the Health Policy Research Unit at the Institute of Economic Growth. “We must urgently address the gap in research and action on gender in global health.”

India’s Ground-Level Progress

The report includes powerful case studies from India, highlighting how gender-inclusive initiatives are making a tangible impact.

In Gujarat, the ‘Dead Women Talking’ initiative led by CommonHealth and SAHAJ empowered marginalised women to track unreported maternal deaths in remote regions. The programme significantly improved maternal death reporting and built bridges between communities and public health systems.

Another example is India’s National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), which supports over 79 million rural households via self-help groups. With gender mainstreaming efforts in states like Madhya Pradesh, access to health and nutrition services has improved markedly — including the reopening of primary health centres and expanded use of health cards.

“These examples show how local women’s collectives can be vital partners in health systems,” said Renu Khanna, Commissioner and Founder of SAHAJ. “Gender-responsive interventions are underfunded, but their benefits to population health are clear.”

Recommendations for Action

The report outlines three urgent recommendations to unlock what it calls a “gender dividend” in global health:

1. Evaluate the need for an international legal definition of gender to protect rights and promote consistent policies.

2. Establish a global platform for gender data to monitor and track gender justice in health systems.

3. Create new financing mechanisms for gender justice through earmarked funds from taxes on harmful products.

Commissioner Ravi Verma, Executive Director of ICRW Asia, emphasised the practical value of the report’s findings: “These guidelines offer a roadmap for integrating gender justice into public health strategies across India and beyond. If implemented, they can reduce inequalities and boost the wellbeing of entire populations.”

The Bigger Picture

The Lancet Commission on Gender and Global Health is a coalition of global experts spanning academia, civil society, and international organisations. The group’s research explores the historical, political, and economic forces — including colonialism, capitalism, and corporate lobbying — that shape health inequities.

Supported by the Wellcome Trust, the Ford Foundation, and others, the Commission’s report is the culmination of years of research and public dialogue with grassroots communities. It is now live and publicly accessible via www.thelancet.com/commissions/gender-and-health.