Women
play an irreplaceable role in advancing One Health, an approach that emphasizes
the interconnection between human health, animal health and environmental
well-being1,2. Their impact starts
within the family and extends to the global community, where they shape
behaviors, values and norms related to health3.
This prominent role is rooted in their exceptional ability to nurture, educate
and lead within families and communities4.
However, for women to fully realize this potential, they need cultural, social
and legal support to enable them to participate effectively and sustainably in
this domain.
Women
are recognized as a constant source of love and kindness, whose presence brings
emotional balance and peace to families and communities. By conveying positive
emotions and providing emotional support, they not only contribute to
individual mental health but also play a vital role in promoting health culture
within society5.
Women's
role in advancing health culture has several fundamental dimensions. First, as
primary educators within families, they serve as the first health teachers for
children. By teaching healthy eating habits, personal hygiene and disease
prevention, they nurture generations that are conscious and responsible about
their health. This educational role impacts not only physical health but also
mental and social well-being6.
In
addition, through participation in social and cultural activities, women can
influence societal attitudes and beliefs. By modeling healthy behaviors, they
can help shift social norms. For example, women who actively engage in sports
and physical activities can serve as positive role models for other community
members, challenging and changing negative cultural perceptions in this regard7,8.
Their
endless love and kindness transform them into One Health advocates, whether in
their roles as mothers, wives or active members of society. Their unique
ability to influence social norms and health behaviors positions them as vital
advocates for One Health, supporting human, animal and environmental health.
Moreover,
women in many societies face greater social and cultural expectations than men.
These expectations-especially when women are required to juggle multiple roles,
such as being a mother, wife, employee and social activist-result in physical
and psychological pressures. These pressures lower their quality of life and
jeopardize their physical and mental health, ultimately limiting their ability
to contribute effectively to One Health initiatives. Additionally, many cultural
and social limitations prevent women from fully benefiting from their health,
educational and social rights. These limitations include restricted access to
healthcare services, workplace discrimination and inadequate legal support.
Such challenges directly affect women's health and, by extension, influence the
health of humans, animals and the environment9.
To
address these issues, cultural reforms are essential within families and
communities. These reforms must challenge and change negative stereotypes about
women, while creating an environment that supports their empowerment.
Governments should also play an active role by implementing educational
programs and enacting supportive laws, ensuring women can participate freely
and healthily in health promotion efforts10.
Key actions include:
·
Public education to change negative
cultural attitudes toward women.
·
Legislative measures to guarantee women's
rights in health, social and economic spheres.
·
Improving access to healthcare and mental
health support to alleviate physical and psychological pressures.
These
changes are crucial because they allow women to fully realize their potential
as advocates for cultural transformation. By empowering women to participate in
public life without discrimination or limitations, societies can promote health
and well-being and achieve One Health goals. Once the foundations of health
culture are firmly established, healthy women can play a much more effective
role in strengthening One Health. As mothers, they raise health-conscious
generations that contribute to enhancing the One Health ecosystem-generations
that actively engage in protecting the environment, preventing zoonotic
diseases and managing natural resources sustainably.
Additionally,
women can serve as health promoters in schools and local communities, helping
to improve the quality of life and public health by sharing health knowledge
and raising awareness. Women can also act as health consultants in workplaces,
contributing to the creation of healthy work environments and enhancing
employee well-being11. On a societal
level, women can lead social change in areas such as improving public health,
protecting the environment and promoting healthy lifestyles, such as water conservation,
sustainable agriculture and improving environmental quality. By creating social
networks and support groups, they can effectively transmit health information
and contribute to raising public awareness. This role is particularly important
in local communities, where informal communication strongly influences social
norms. Their unique leadership perspectives and abilities are essential for
solving complex global issues such as climate change, emerging diseases and
food security12.
To
achieve this vision, international organizations like the World Health
Organization (WHO) and UNESCO must formally recognize and support the role of
women in One Health. These organizations must actively:
·
Develop supportive policies to advance
women's health and social rights.
·
Design educational and empowerment
programs to prepare women for leadership in health and environmental sectors.
· Facilitate women's participation in
health and environmental policy-making and decision-making processes, ensuring
their voices are heard at both national and global levels.
Such
international support is essential for enabling women to effectively contribute
to One Health initiatives. By recognizing and reinforcing their role, global
organizations can harness women's potential as One Health advocates, promoting
a culture of change and progress worldwide.
Ultimately,
to achieve One Health goals and elevate global health culture, the role of
women as One Health advocates must be given serious and effective attention.
However, for women to fully embrace this role, cultural and social barriers
must be removed and their rights must be ensured through legal frameworks and
supportive policies. This cultural transformation requires reforms, legal
support and strategic initiatives by international organizations.
Only
by adopting this comprehensive approach can societies fully benefit from
women's empowerment in advancing One Health, ensuring a sustainable and healthy
future for humans, animals and the environment. This future will be built on
the foundation of empowered women who shape health cultures, lead social
initiatives and advocate for the well-being of all living systems, both
globally and locally.
References