The 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action on Women was a landmark global policy framework to promote the human rights of women and girls and gender equality. These were also identified as a prerequisite for women’s health and wellbeing. Over the past 25 years there has been important progress in several areas of women’s health, however, gender discrimination, bias and inequalities in women’s health persist. There are also new and emerging threats to women’s health. The covid-19 pandemic is one such threat disproportionately impacting women’s health and social and economic wellbeing in the immediate and long-term.

This BMJ collection, launched at the World Health Summit 2020, aims to provide insights into how to advance women’s health and gender equality. The papers draw on successes, challenges and evidence-based strategies over the last 25 years and includes analyses of new and emerging threats to women’s health. The series of papers push for real change in women’s health now and over the next 25 years.

The BMJ. (2020). Women’s Health and Gender Inequalities.