Keeping female children and women healthy is the best thing a society can do for the betterment not only of its present generations but also for all the generations to come.

· To what extent can you support this view?
· Do you think that gender parity in healthcare is not needed?

Not many, including myself, would oppose the view that the health of female children and women is of greater importance than anything else for today and tomorrow’s generation. But the fact remains that gender parity in healthcare is needed as much, too.

My first argument in favour of this is that it is the females’ welfare that makes social welfare. Let me make it clear that, from time immemorial, it is women who have been keeping the health status of the family intact. Such families are able to beget healthy children, both male and female. Obviously, such children would constitute a healthy generation in the days to come. For example, a healthy female will become a healthy wife, a mother and, above all, a caring home maker. So female health is what makes the real difference in social health.

However, gender parity in healthcare is crucial as well. This is mandatory for general social welfare. Health indices of a given society are calculated in terms of the health status enjoyed by both the genders. Obviously, we cannot ignore the health of males. For example, if male children and men are not healthy enough, there is going to be a weaker generation of males. All these facts notwithstanding, much hope needs to be pinned up on the health status of female children and women. This is more a matter of existential health than individual or social health.

Looking at both the views, it is right to conclude that the health of women and children, male and female, is of greater significance, and that is the best a society can do to itself. It does not mean that gender parity in healthcare is of no use. It deserves its due, too.

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