
Investing in Women as Society's Caretakers
When women are empowered to take control of their own health, the results can be profound: reduced infant mortality, decreased spread of infectious diseases, and increased family and community health. An investment in women’s education truly is an investment in the well-being of society.
Throughout history, women have led as key family caregivers, often serving as the primary caregiver to their children and older family members. They administer the family’s home remedies, identify illnesses, and summon professional help when it is needed. As a result, women substantially influence decisions related to family health.
At the same time, women find themselves
Even though they invest in the wellness of loved ones, many women and families around the globe face substantial barriers to obtaining medical care. Some cultures favor traditional healthcare methods, including folk medicine, which discourage professional interventions. Geographically remote villages may lack any formally trained health professionals, and transportation to far-flung cities may not be feasible — especially for women in low-income communities.
Women living in areas with high rates of infectious diseases can rely on resources from FNPs and other health care professionals when visiting a clinic. These clinicians can incorporate
Of course, the education of women as caregivers should go beyond the household level. Encouraging women to pursue formal education of their own, such as entering science, math, and political professions, can bolster human development at the societal level. Increased education for women confers a broad range of community benefits, especially social advocacy and advancement. The Population Reference Bureau
More broadly speaking, educating women serves as a tool for human development by improving literacy rates and rates of female participation in the workforce. Women living in the Middle East and North Africa face
The barriers to female empowerment in these regions are diminishing over time, while female leaders in the public eye can act to change the status quo and influence change. Women who become family nurse practitioners, social workers, or other health care specialists have a unique opportunity to exert influence. When women are empowered to take control of their own health, the results can be profound: reduced infant mortality, decreased spread of infectious diseases, and increased family and community health. An investment in women’s education truly is an investment in the well-being of society.
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