Investing in women’s health pays off

A new Norwegian-led research project is to identify the economic benefits of investing in women’s health. 

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “A number of studies show that promoting women’s health, education and employment has positive ripple effects for whole families and communities. However, more research is needed on how investment in women’s health contributes to economic growth. This is why we have launched this new research project.” 

Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, Gro Harlem Brundtland, and Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, General Secretary of World YMCA, have so far joined the project’s reference group. This will be led by Mr Støre. Key partners include representatives of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Lancet, the UN, WHO and the World Bank. 

The duration of the project will be 18 months, and the results will be published in The Lancet. 

Today, the Government launched the first white paper on global health outlining Norway’s ambitions in this field. The white paper also examines the links between domestic policy and foreign policy. 

“Efforts to strengthen global health must be promoted not only by health ministers, but also by all those responsible for foreign, climate, environmental, development and finance policy,” said Mr Støre. 

Norway allocates nearly NOK 3 billion a year to global health initiatives over the aid budget. The white paper indicates where Norwegian efforts can make a particular difference. 

Read the summary and introduction.