WGST 1F90 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Treatment Action Campaign, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Rights
24 Oct 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Health, Gender and Race
By: Anisha & Marie
Introduction:
We will be discussing a global issue that is based on the topic of health, gender and race and how it’s
made a huge impact on women’s health. Our articles touched on how racism is still a factor in
Canadian society, and how women of color face discrimination with the medical services provided.
These women tend to not get appropriate care because they avoid the health care systems due to the
way they have been treated from past experiences.
Summaries:
Racism, Women’s Health, and Reproductive Freedom (Egan & Gardner, 1999) deals with the
experiences of women of color in the health care system and how immigrant, racial minority, and
refugee women are discriminated against by the Ontario health care system. Women feel their health
is being jeopardized because of the racism and discrimination they face. The studies that were done
showed that the women were treated disrespectfully and in a discriminatory manner. The racism faced,
limited language and led to lack of economic opportunities. There was a lack of adequate translation
and interpreter services, which prevented women from using available services. There has been little
effort made to develop programs for minority women and their personal needs. Another factor that was
discussed coincided with why women of color may not get medical help, which is because they face
discrimination in employment. These women generally have low paying jobs, minimal or no access to
medical services and are denied health care. This article explored why many women of color are upset
and disappointed with the health care systems because they don’t provide them with the proper care
they deserve. This is a huge factor to racism and is something that needs to be talked about because
it’s extremely unfair that women of color are treated differently because of their skin color.
How Sexism and Racism Determine Health (Supplement 29) gives us more facts that are related to
sexism and race as a determinant of health. It gives women factual information to help us understand
that women’s health is important and how minorities deserve, and need the access to proper and fair
health care.
HIV/AIDS, Globalization, and international Women’s Movement (Msimang, 2003) talks about how
HIV/AIDS is a global issue and is something that affects many women around the world. It is said to be
the virus that follows vulnerability, finds home in conflict, hunger and poverty. To help prevent this we
need to educate those in such environments so that they are aware of the risks and ways to try and
prevent women from contracting the virus. The article explores some campaigns that are out there like
TAC (The Treatment Action Campaign) and “Globalise This” that provide help to women who suffer
with HIV/AIDS. The article explains that the fight against HIV/AIDS should be a feminist fight and
needs society and feminist voices in developing countries to challenge their governments to help with
HIV/AIDS.
Decision Questions:
1. What would be a way to monitor fair health care in Canada? How can we implement these
steps in order to make sure it is fair and accessible to all women, races and minorities?
2. Where do you think the mistreatment of women, races, and minorities is most prominent in the
health care industry? Is there a specific location, specific health care specialty, or elsewhere?
3. In North America HIV/AIDS is it far less common than within the women in Africa? Why may this
be the case?
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
We will be discussing a global issue that is based on the topic of health, gender and race and how it"s made a huge impact on women"s health. Our articles touched on how racism is still a factor in. Canadian society, and how women of color face discrimination with the medical services provided. These women tend to not get appropriate care because they avoid the health care systems due to the way they have been treated from past experiences. Women feel their health is being jeopardized because of the racism and discrimination they face. The studies that were done showed that the women were treated disrespectfully and in a discriminatory manner. The racism faced, limited language and led to lack of economic opportunities. There was a lack of adequate translation and interpreter services, which prevented women from using available services. There has been little effort made to develop programs for minority women and their personal needs.
