At the crossroads: Intersectional approaches to women's health equity

Abstract

Global shifts in health policies have significantly affected access to reproductive healthcare services, with impacts varying greatly across different populations. Recent policy changes in various regions have included defunding reproductive health programs, promoting abstinence-only education, and restricting international non-government organizations from providing comprehensive reproductive healthcare services. These policies have led to clinic closures, reduced access to maternal and reproductive healthcare in low- and middle-income countries, and increased health inequities. While all low-income individuals may experience varying impacts, the consequences vary dramatically. In the case of undocumented immigrants, insurance options are already severely limited, while specialized care may be inaccessible for people with disabilities. These intersectional realities demonstrate how seemingly uniform policies produce radically different outcomes based on one's social position. Using the intersectional framework, this article examines how these impacts are magnified for women who experience multiple forms of marginalization and proposes actions for advocates, policymakers, and scholars to safeguard inclusive healthcare access for all women and birthing people.

Keywords: intersectionality; marginalization; women’s health.