The WHO describes; Health as more than the absence of illness; it is the full physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of each individual. Women cannot develop their potential without a basic level of good health. Women’s access to health information and care is subject to discrimination and barriers in many countries.

BPW has a role to play in ensuring that women’s rights to health care are promoted to national governments, that women are represented at all levels of decision making about: health care, and that BPW Affiliates are assisted to address women’s health issues in their own communities.

As Chair of the Health Standing Committee, I would work to -

• Promise the involvement of BPW in addressing the key health issues for women in each BPW Region.
• Focus on raising women’s awareness; of and knowledge about their own health status; and how they can improve it, particularly in relation to breast and uterine cancer, diabetes, peri-natal problems, menopause and post traumatic stress; disorder.
• Raise awareness of HIV/AIDS as a women’s health issue and the role of women in combating this disease.
• Further BPW International partnerships with the International Osteoporosis Foundation and the Global Consortium of Women to End Cervical cancer.
• Strengthen BPW health communication and information networks, and improve the dissemination to Affiliates of information from the World Health Organisation about health issues that impact on women.