Efforts to reduce poverty and enhance development have been more successful where women and men have relatively equal opportunities. However, in much of Latin America, women’s low social status, poor health, and subordination to men persist. Governments in the region acknowledge the need to promote gender equity in health and development, but data to monitor disparities and progress have been limited.
The data sheet profiles gender differences in health and development in 48 countries in the Americas, focusing on women’s reproductive health, access to key health services, and major causes of death. Its objective is to raise awareness of gender inequities in the region and promote the use of sex-disaggregated health statistics for policies and programs. This effort is consistent with the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, which focus on achieving measurable improvements in people’s lives, including gender equality.
Gender equity in health refers to the absence of unfair and avoidable disparities between women and men in terms of health and the factors that influence it. It involves equal opportunities to enjoy good health and remain free of preventable illness and disability. Gender equity in health care means that resources are allocated according to men’s and women’s particular needs, and that health services are received according to those needs.
Women bear a disproportionately high share of out-of-pocket health expenses relative to men. In Brazil, for example, women spent 46% of their income on health expenses, while men spent 28%. In the Dominican Republic, women spent 38% of their income on health expenses, while men spent 21%. In Paraguay, women spent 12% of their income on health expenses, while men spent 28%.
Caesarean section deliveries are more common among more educated mothers in Latin America, exceeding the recommended maximum of 15%. In Haiti, 41% of births were delivered by Caesarean section, while in Colombia, 29% of births were delivered by Caesarean section. In Peru, 17% of births were delivered by Caesarean section.
Physical violence against women is a serious health and social consequence, but it has only recently come into public view. In Colombia, 41% of women reported experiencing physical violence, while in Peru, 34% of women reported experiencing physical violence. In Nicaragua, 25% of women reported experiencing physical violence.
Women in rural areas and young women (ages 15-19) are more likely to have unmet need for family planning. In Colombia, 38% of women in rural areas reported having unmet need, while in Peru, 41% of women in rural areas reported having unmet need. In Haiti, 26% of women in rural areas reported having unmet need.
Life expectancy at birth is higher for women than men in many countries in the Americas. In Brazil, life expectancy at birth was 75 years for women and 69 years for men. In Colombia, life expectancy at birth was 74 years for women and 69 years for men. In Peru, life expectancy at birth was 73 years for women and 68 years for men.
The percentage of households headed by women is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. In Brazil, 64% of households were headed by women in urban areas, while in rural areas, 51% of households were headed by women. In Colombia, 82% of households were headed by women in urban areas, while in rural areas, 73% of households were headed by women.
The annual growth rate of the population is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. In Brazil, the annual growth rate was 1.9% in urban areas and 1.2% in rural areas. In Colombia, the annual growth rate was 1.6% in urban areas and 1.2% in rural areas.
The Gross National Income (GNI) per capita is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. In Brazil, the GNI per capita was $8,895 in urban areas and $6,640 in rural areas. In Colombia, the GNI per capita was $13,342 in urban areas and $6,888 in rural areas.
The percentage of the population living in poverty is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. In Brazil, 38% of the population lived in poverty in rural areas, while in urban areas, 15% of the population lived in poverty. In Colombia, 75% of the population lived in poverty in rural areas, while in urban areas, 44% of the population lived in poverty.
The population growth rate is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. In Brazil, the population growth rate was 1.9% in urban areas and 1.2% in rural areas. In Colombia, the population growth rate was 1.6% in urban areas and 1.2% in rural areas.
The GNI per capita is higher in urban areas than in rural areas. In Brazil, the GNI per capita was $8