International Women’s day 2026: WHO calls for rights, justice and action

For International Women’s Day 2026, global health leaders are emphasising the importance of translating commitments on gender equality into action

The theme for International Women’s Day 2026 is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” The World Health Organisation Europe hosted a public online event on 5 March 2026, bringing together international organisations, policymakers and health experts to discuss progress and persistent challenges affecting women’s health across the region.

The webinar highlighted how women’s health is not simply a sector-specific concern but a cornerstone of equitable and resilient societies. Despite notable advances in gender equality across Europe, many women continue to face systemic barriers that affect their physical and mental well-being throughout their lives.

Women’s health and centre sustainable societies

Women make up 51% of the population in the WHO European Region, yet they spend a greater proportion of their lives in poor health compared with men. The event focused on how social, economic and environmental factors intersect with biological differences to shape women’s health outcomes.

Issues such as sexual and reproductive health, maternal care, noncommunicable diseases, mental health and ageing remain central to discussions on women’s well-being. Limited access to healthcare services, unequal working conditions and economic disparities continue to influence women’s ability to maintain good health.

Although the region records some of the highest levels of gender equality globally, no country has fully achieved the equality targets set by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Persistent inequalities in income, employment opportunities, education and social protection continue to affect women across the life course.

Inequality and health gaps remain

A major concern highlighted during the event was the widening gap in health outcomes linked to gender inequality. Women and girls across Europe still face discrimination and structural barriers that reduce their access to healthcare services and economic resources.

Health outcomes are shaped by multiple determinants, including cultural norms, environmental conditions, commercial influences and economic status. These overlapping factors can intensify vulnerability for women, particularly those from marginalised communities.

Efforts to address these challenges increasingly focus on integrating gender perspectives into health policy and strengthening collaboration across sectors. Health leaders stressed that improving women’s health outcomes requires coordinated action across education, labour markets, social protection systems and public health institutions.

Violence against women

Violence against women remains one of the most serious threats to women’s health and well-being worldwide. Across the European region, nearly one in three women experiences physical or sexual violence at least once in her lifetime, most often from an intimate partner.

Despite the scale of the problem, fewer than 40% of countries in the region have adopted the minimum health service policies recommended by the WHO for post-rape care. This gap highlights the need for stronger health-sector leadership and better support systems for survivors.

Commitment through EPW2

The webinar also marked a key moment in the implementation of the Second European Programme of Work 2026–2030 (EPW2), which prioritises stronger health sector leadership in preventing and responding to violence against women and girls.

The initiative calls for coordinated action from governments, health institutions and international partners to ensure that women’s right to the highest attainable standard of health is fully protected.

Participants included representatives from UNICEF, UN Women, United Nations Population Fund, the European Institute of Women’s Health, and health ministries from several European countries.

Ten years after member states endorsed the regional strategy on women’s health and well-being, the 2026 event served as an opportunity to assess progress and identify areas where stronger action is needed.