Gender – a Missing Dimension in Human Resource Policy And Planning for Health Reforms

This article takes up the relatively neglected issue of gender in human resources policy and planning (HRPP), with particular reference to the health sector in developing countries. Current approaches to human resources lack any reference to gender issues. Meeting the health needs of women as major users and potential beneficiaries of health services is a key international concern. This article argues that in order to do this, attention must also be paid to both equal opportunities and efficiency issues in the health sector workforce, given the highly gender segregated nature of occupations in the health sector and the potential for both gender inequity and inefficiency in the use of human resources which this poses. Taking gender seriously in HRPP entails developing appropriate methodologies for data collection, monitoring and evaluation. The paper suggests some basic ways of doing this and provides a framework for incorporating gender concerns in health reform processes.