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The Role of Women in Politics on the Health of Women and Girls

An Academic Policy Paper

The health of women and girls is inextricably linked to political representation and inclusive governance. When women occupy political leadership positions, they help transform policy landscapes, ensuring that health systems address gender-specific needs with equity and sensitivity. Across Africa, and particularly in Kenya, women in politics are pivotal agents for advancing reproductive health rights, combating gender-based violence, promoting adolescent health, and improving access to essential health services. Their presence enhances both the visibility of women's health concerns and the accountability of health institutions.

This policy paper examines how women’s political participation shapes the health and wellbeing of women and girls, while also identifying systemic barriers and offering targeted policy recommendations.

1. Advancing Gender-Responsive Health Policies

Women in political leadership often push for policies that reflect the lived realities of women and girls, especially those related to:

  • Maternal and newborn health services

  • Reproductive health and family planning

  • Menstrual hygiene management

  • Access to gender-sensitive mental health care

  • Prevention and treatment of cervical and breast cancer

In Kenya, female legislators played a crucial role in advocating for the Linda Mama initiative, which provides free maternity services across public health facilities. Such interventions directly reduce maternal mortality and improve antenatal and postnatal care coverage.

2. Combating Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a widespread and under-reported health crisis. Women in politics have consistently championed efforts to:

  • Criminalize practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and domestic violence

  • Establish survivor support systems, including safe houses and one-stop crisis centers

  • Promote education campaigns on GBV prevention

  • Allocate funds for survivor-centered medical and legal services

The enactment of the Prohibition of FGM Act (2011) in Kenya, and subsequent localized efforts by women leaders in counties such as Narok, Samburu, and West Pokot, demonstrate how political will can lead to the abandonment of harmful practices and the protection of vulnerable girls.

3. Improving Health Access in Underserved Communities

Women in political roles are often keenly aware of inequities in health service delivery, particularly in remote or informal settlements. They advocate for:

  • Deployment of mobile clinics and rural health infrastructure

  • Expansion of community health volunteer (CHV) programs

  • Provision of water, sanitation, and electricity in maternity wards

  • Tailored services for disabled women, widows, and adolescent mothers

In Kenya’s devolved health system, female governors and members of county assemblies have spearheaded the establishment of maternal shelters and adolescent health programs in counties such as Kitui, Kakamega, and Isiolo.

4. Promoting Education and Health Literacy

Girls’ education is closely tied to improved health outcomes. Women policymakers link education and health by supporting:

  • Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education

  • Distribution of free sanitary pads in public schools

  • Policies to reduce school dropouts related to pregnancy and menstruation

  • Mentorship programs for adolescent girls

The National Sanitary Towels Programme was a direct result of advocacy by female legislators and has helped reduce school absenteeism and improved menstrual hygiene management for thousands of girls in Kenya.

5. Economic Empowerment and its Impact on Health

Poverty remains a central barrier to health equity. Women in politics understand that economic empowerment improves access to healthcare and food security. They promote:

  • Women-focused microfinance programs and cooperatives

  • Legal protections for women’s property and inheritance rights

  • Affirmative action in public procurement for women entrepreneurs

  • Employment policies that include maternity protection and workplace safety

Economic independence reduces women's vulnerability to exploitation, enhances their ability to seek timely medical care, and improves overall household health outcomes.

6. Strengthening Accountability and Transparency in Health Governance

Female leaders frequently emphasize the importance of governance in health system performance. Their leadership encourages:

  • Gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis

  • Public participation in health budgeting and planning

  • Community monitoring of health services

  • Anti-corruption measures in health procurement and delivery

Women-led health committees in Kenya have held public forums to assess maternity care quality and pushed for increased funding for county health departments.

7. Challenging Social Norms and Inspiring Change

Women in politics serve as powerful role models, challenging restrictive norms and opening space for public conversations around sensitive health issues. Their leadership fosters:

  • Destigmatization of menstruation, infertility, and sexual health

  • Increased visibility of women's health rights in media and civic discourse

  • Inspiration for girls to aspire to leadership in healthcare and politics

  • Promotion of respectful maternity care and gender-sensitive service delivery

By occupying spaces of power, women normalize gender equity and expand the possibilities for the next generation of girls.

Barriers to Women's Political Influence on Health

Despite notable achievements, several structural and cultural barriers limit the full impact of women in politics:

  • Persistent underrepresentation in executive health ministries and key parliamentary committees

  • Gender-based political violence, threats, and online harassment

  • Budget constraints and political resistance to gender equity reforms

  • Societal stereotypes that delegitimize women’s authority in public policy

In Kenya, delayed implementation of the two-thirds gender rule continues to marginalize women in national and county-level decision-making platforms.

Policy Recommendations

  1. Enforce the Two-Thirds Gender Rule in all political and administrative structures.

  2. Expand Gender-Responsive Budgeting within the health sector, ensuring dedicated allocations for women’s health priorities.

  3. Establish Leadership Mentorship Programs for young women to build a pipeline of future health policymakers.

  4. Support Legal Reforms to protect female politicians from gender-based violence and discrimination.

  5. Strengthen Collaboration between women leaders, civil society, and healthcare professionals to drive community-driven health policy.

  6. Institutionalize Gender Audits in health service delivery and evaluation.

  7. Mainstream Gender in Health Emergency Preparedness, ensuring that women’s needs are integrated in pandemic and disaster response plans.

Conclusion

Women’s political participation is a critical force for health system reform, social justice, and gender equity. When women lead, health policies are more inclusive, responsive, and community-centered. In Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa, amplifying women’s voices in political processes directly translates into healthier outcomes for women, girls, families, and entire communities.

Investing in women’s leadership is not just a democratic imperative—it is a strategic public health priority. Sustainable development and universal health coverage cannot be achieved without the full and meaningful inclusion of women in politics.

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