PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER, HEALTH, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
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is the key to health through education?

2/16/2020

7 Comments

 
There have been many different views in my life that have influenced how I view gender. Being 22 years old, and growing up in a household with two very different cultures I was always around people who had very strong views about gender. Growing up with a Iranian father and a Zambian mother there have always been certain gender roles that both my parents lived with. For example, women are the homemakers while men go out and make money to support the household. The same goes for my Zambian side, where women are supposed take control of the household but at the same time women are known for being the provider in the families as well. While I primarily grew up with my father who really instilled in me the idea that women should be at home taking care of the house, there has always been that other side of me who will not just let men control me but rather have my own identity not tied to anyone, which comes from my Zambian side.
            There are many different determinants of health, and I believe that they all equally play a role in the health status of people. When looking at education as a determinant of health it is hard not to be biased, coming from an institution of higher education. Because for me personally I believe that having a higher level of education means better access to health services. And for a majority of people they believe that having access to education allows individuals to create a voice in their own communities and allow them to create changes that they believe the community needs. China has recognized, “…literacy as the key to women’s full participation in societal decision-making and to improving the well-being of families. Education earns community respect, and being respected builds confidence and encourages participation” (“Outrage to Courage”, 42). This is very important in allowing social changes that will allow for rights and changes primarily focused on women. There are key rights that would have a large impact in the direction of women when education is taken into account. When education is given to women there is an awareness on women needs. For example, sex education awareness is increased therefore decreasing STD transmissions. “Studies link education with reduced child and maternal deaths, improved child health, and lower fertility. Women with at least some formal education are more likely than uneducated women to use contraception, marry later, have fewer children, and be better informed on the nutritional and other needs of children” (“The Effect of Girls’ Education on Health Outcomes: Fact Sheet”). This will lead to many changes if women are given the opportunity to create change.
 
Tiffany Ghadamy
​
Citations:
The Effect of Girls' Education on Health Outcomes: Fact Sheet. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.prb.org/girls-education-fact-sheet/
Murray, A. F. (2008). 
From outrage to courage: women taking action for health and justice. Monroe, Me.: Common Courage Press.
7 Comments
Marisol Bejarano
2/16/2020 11:58:53 pm

Hi Tiffany!
I also believ that education is one of the best ways to change someones life becuase it has the most effect! Allowing them to learn about what is important and making them feel confident in what they know is life changing! I think the film Girl Rising really shows the importance of education and how that it not only changes their lives but of everyone around her.

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Jordan Tomas
2/17/2020 12:48:03 am

Great post Tiffany! Education can be very powerful for anyone. What allows us to advocate for human rights or take on opportunities that may have not been possible before is through education. Just being able to learn how to read, write, and understand can allow children to dream of bigger things, even those who live in underdeveloped countries. As Marisol mentioned, Girl Rising emphasized how education allowed the girls to look at the world in a different light and find optimism on what they hope to be. Education is powerful and I believe should be a human right.

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Jaya Cross
2/17/2020 03:22:42 pm

Hi Tiffany,
Thank you for sharing your experience growing up with parents from different countries. I agree with you that having access to higher education is beneficial to ones health. The saying "Knowledge Is Power" is so true. When women are in tuned with their bodies, and have an understanding of how it works, as well as the resources that are provided will result in an overall healthy lifestyle.

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Erica Nguyen
2/21/2020 06:50:53 pm

Thanks for such a thoughtful post! I definitely think that education is a powerful tool when it comes to our health. It made me reflect on the fact that we're literally being educated about health right now in this class and that not everyone has this privilege to do so. It's also saddening to know that not everyone has the same opportunities that we do to learn about the injustices that many other individuals are facing around the world. Education is such a powerful in determining how healthy you are for the rest of your life. I just wish everyone had the same opportunities that we have.

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Honey Cin
2/23/2020 10:57:59 pm

I enjoy reading your post....Tiffany. I think that education is one of the only keys to eliminate gender inequality. If I don’t get access to education, I think gender roles will still influence me today. Nelson Mandela once said that “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world.”

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Raiye Abunie
3/7/2020 08:43:39 pm

Hello Tiffany,

I appreciate how you were able to tie your blog post to something we can all relate to, the attainment of higher education. As you mentioned, "having a higher level of education means better access to health services. And for a majority of people they believe that having access to education allows individuals to create a voice in their own communities and allow them to create changes that they believe the community needs," I do believe that having higher education results to better health literacy and health resources. However, how can we as a society make sure that we can eliminate this discrimination or disparity to make sure all are able to receive health information/resources? I know it's taking a big bite at this issue, but sometimes what's done as a community level can become a powerful method of global use.

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Dolma
3/11/2020 07:23:55 am

I do believe that education is one of the determinants that affects our health. If an individual lack education then it affects their income and other socioeconomic factors, resulting in poor decisions and unhealthy behavior... affecting their overall well-being. Also being educated, they will make healthy decisions and opt for healthy behavior and are also aware of natural body process of a human being so it helps to eliminate stigma and taboos associated with certain disease and illness.

Thanks for sharing!

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