Development of Gender-Sensitive Comprehensive Health Matrix: A Comparative Study on the Cases of Sustainable Development Goals Countries and North Korea Based on Gender-Sensitive Indicators
10.21896/jksmch.2020.24.1.40
- Author:
Yoorim BANG
1
;
Youngrin KWAG
;
Eun Mee KIM
;
Eunhee HA
;
Oran KWON
;
Hae Soon KIM
;
Hyesook KIM
;
Seok Hyang KIM
;
Miju KIM
;
Eunshil KIM
;
Jae Jin HAN
;
Kooyoung JUNG
;
Hunjoo HA
Author Information
1. Graduate School of International Studies, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health
2020;24(1):40-51
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:South Korea ranked 18th out of the 162 participating countries in the 2019 report on sustainable development goals (SDGs). Among the 17 specified goals, it has the most difficulty in achieving gender equality (SDG 5). This shortcoming is manifested in the lack of studies on gender-sensitive indicators. The study aims to establish the significance of the development of a comprehensive health matrix to concretize the concept of gender-sensitivity which is often considered as abstract.
Methods:An integrated analysis of health determinants was conducted through a convergence study involving medical, social and natural sciences. This analysis was based on both literature reviews and focusgroup discussions. The 6 following focal points were chosen based on the SDGs: gender equality, medicine, education, economy, nutrition, and environment. Objective quantitative indicators were then designated to each of the 6 areas and comparatively analyzed for South Korea, North Korea, and the other SDGs countries. Four areas on sexual and reproductive health were also selected.
Results:The results indicated that South Korea scored much lower than North Korea and the other SDGs countries in terms of gender equality. It was also behind North Korea in education, although North Korea had a comparatively lower ranking in the rest of the areas. On the other hand, it fared better than the aforementioned countries with respect to environment, nutrition, medicine, and economy.
Conclusion:A comprehensive gender-sensitive health matrix was developed to refine the abstract concept of gender-sensitivity through objective quantitative indicators that assess the health status of a country by means of a scoring system. Gender equality was also confirmed as a common and significant component in the disciplines of sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive health.
