The 2024 WHO global survey report notes that all our countries in South-East Asia have national guidelines and policies on sexual and reproductive health, family planning and contraception, STI treatment and counselling among others. Gender and health is also integrated as a priority area of work in all the current WHO South-East Asia Region Country Cooperation Strategies with member states.
Approximately 60% of our country's population lives in rural areas, with a significant proportion being women. Rural areas face specific obstacles to accessing health services, including inadequate comprehensive services, insufficient health infrastructure, and a limited workforce. These issues are compounded for women, who face a layered disadvantage linked to gender, further exacerbated by socio-economic difficulties and cultural norms that restrict their access to healthcare.
