The Role of Health Workers and support System in Women’s Empowerment

Masayo Matsuzaki
Division of Health Sciences, Graduate school of Medicine, Osaka University
Email: matsu3@sahs.med.osaka-u.ac.jp

ABSTRACT
Fifth of Sustainable development goals was set as achieve gender equality and empower all
women and girls. G20 held on June in Osaka. G20 leaders also reiterated their shared recognition
that “gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for achieving inclusive and
sustainable society and economic growth”. According to this statement, we must push with a
support women’s empowerment and take actions Worldwide. The Government of Japan will
cultivate the power of women as the greatest potential for the growth of the Japanese economy,
and further strengthen cooperation with the international community as well as assistance to
developing countries with the belief that creating "a society in which women shine" will bring
vigor to the world.
In Japan, both of maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate is lower (respectively;
3.4/100000 population and 1.9/1000 live birth) than its rate in other countries. However, the child
guidance offices across Japan reported a total of 80,252 notifications of suspected child abuse in
2018, and this increased incidence of child abuse is a critical social issue. Moreover, number of
pregnant and postpartum women who have depression and suicide are increasing. Currently,
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan lunched system of continuous care from pre-
pregnancy to 6 years after giving a birth for mother and child. Health care provider and community
midwives empower mothers by continuous care during not only pregnancy, but also during
postpartum. Moreover, midwives are empowering adolescent girls by sexual and life education.
This session aimed to share the how we are taking actions for Women’s Empowerment in Japan,
and as midwives and between women.

Summary
Background
Fifth of Sustainable development goals was set as achieve gender equality and empower all women
and girls. G20 held on June in Osaka. G20 leaders also reiterated their shared recognition that
“gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable
society and economic growth”1). According to this statement, we must push with a support
women’s empowerment and take actions Worldwide1). The Government of Japan will cultivate the
power of women as the greatest potential for the growth of the Japanese economy, and further
strengthen cooperation with the international community as well as assistance to developing
countries with the belief that creating "a society in which women shine" will bring vigor to the
world2).
This session aimed to share the how we are taking actions for Women’s Empowerment in
Japan and globally, and as midwives and between women from literature.
Results & Discussion
Women’s empowerment is defined as Process by which women gain power and control over
their own lives and acquire the ability to make strategic choices. Women’s Empowerment has 5
components as follows 3,4);
1. women’s sense of self-worth,
2. their right to have and to determine choices,
3. their right to have access to opportunities and resources
4. their right to have power to control their own lives
both within and outside the home
5. their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a more just social and
economic order, nationally and internationally.
However, Globally, World Economic Forum reported Global average gap score is 68%, and only 7
courtiers have closed at least 80% of Gaps in 149 countries5). Globally, it will take 202 years to
close the Economic Participation Gender Gap5), 107 years to close Political Empowerment Gender
Gap5). In addition, the OECD Social Institution & gender Index 2019 results reported a level of
restricted ogysical integrity for violence against women is higher in Japan and Indonesia than it in
other countories6). In Japan, the victim is almost women; 82.8%. Preparator is marital; 76.4%7). Number
of consultations related to IPV is increasing (72455 in 2017) 7).
Gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable society
and economic growth. So, fifth of Sustainable development goals was set as achieve gender equality
and empower all women and girls. The UN Global Compact and UN Women recommended the
Women's Empowerment Principles offer seven steps to guide business on how to empower women
in the workplace, marketplace and community as follows 8);

1: Establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality

2: Treat all women and men fairly at work – respect and support
human rights and nondiscrimination
3: Ensure the health, safety and well-being of all women and men
workers
4: Promote education, training and professional development for
women
5: Implement enterprise development, supply chain and marketing
practices that empower women
6: Promote equality through community initiatives and advocacy
7:Measure and publicly report on progress to achieve gender
equality.
Moreover, in G20 in 2019, policy makers may wish to consider further action in the following
areas: Strengthening long-term care and care leave provision. Ensuring access to non-standard
forms of employment do not weaken employment rights.Promoting entrepreneurship for women.
Tackling gender segregation by occupation. Improving the evidence base on gender gaps in the
labour market. Target audience is health care providers.
In case of violence, WHO published guideline of intimate partner violence(IPV) and sexual
violence against women. Act on the Prevention of Spousal Violence and the Protection of Victims
was enacted in 2001 in Japan. Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers were established
based on the law.
In Japan, both of maternal mortality rate and infant mortality rate is lower (respectively;
3.4/100000 population and 1.9/1000 live birth) than its rate in other countries 9). However, the child
guidance offices across Japan reported a total of 80,252 notifications of suspected child abuse in
201810), and this increased incidence of child abuse is a critical social issue. Moreover, number of
pregnant and postpartum women who have depression and suicide are increasing11).
Currently, To prevent child abuse by maternal depression and IPV, Ministry of Health, Labour
and Welfare of Japan lunched system of continuous care from pre-pregnancy to 6 years after giving
a birth for mother and child. Health care provider and community midwives empower mothers by
continuous care during not only pregnancy, but also during postpartum.
Globally, each county must improve gender equality using a guideline, law, organization. It is
important not only women, but also social and economy growth.

CONCLUSION
Gender equality and women’s empowerment are essential for achieving inclusive and sustainable
society and economic growth. But globally, it will take over 100 years to close the gap in Economic
Participation Gender Gap and Political Empowerment Gender Gap.
SDGs 5 and G20 are pushing Gender equality and women’s empowerment in the worldwide.
Law, guideline and action of people and company improve gender equality and women’s
empowerment, then may close the gap.

Reference
1) International Labour Organization (ILO)
https://www.ilo.org/moscow/news/WCMS_711972/lang--en/index.htm
2) Ministry of foreign affairs of Japan, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equility,
https://www.mofa.go.jp/fp/pc/page23e_000181.html
3) UN Commission on the Status of Women (2002). Agreed Conclusions on eradicating
poverty, including through the empowerment of women throughout their life cycle, in a
globalising world
4) United Nations Statistics Division – UNSD. Global Gender Statistics Programme
5) World economic forum, The Global Gemder Gap Report 2018
6) OECD, The OECD Social Institution & gender Index 2019 results
7) 生活安全局生活安全企画課 刑事局捜査第一課: "平成 29 年におけるストーカー事案及
び配偶者からの暴力事案等への対応状況について"
https://www.npa.go.jp/safetylife/seianki/stalker/H29STDV_taioujoukyou.pdf
8) The UN Global Compact and UN Women, Women's Empowerment Principles,
https://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-action/action/womens-principles
9) Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfair of Japan, 2018
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/jinkou/geppo/nengai18/dl/gaikyou30.pdf

10) 厚生労働省: "平成 27 年度 児童相談所での児童虐待相談対応件数（速報値）"

https://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/04-Houdouhappyou-11901000-Koyoukintoujidoukateikyoku-
Soumuka/0000132366.pdf
11) 竹田 省：妊産婦死亡“ゼロ”への挑戦，日産婦誌，68（9）：1815-1822, 2016