International Women's Day 2015

On International Women's Day, it is the time to celebrate and reflect on the contributions that women make, and take stock of what remains to be done to advance the status of women worldwide and achieve gender equality.

Theme for 2015: MAKE IT HAPPEN

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in women, killing a staggering 14 million women globally every year. No longer diseases of the rich and elderly, NCDs are increasingly impacting on women in developing countries, and during the prime of their life. Improving women's health improves the outcomes of development.

We must continue to strive for the right to health for women to help address the burden of NCDs.

The NCD Alliance will be co-hosting a side event at the 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59), entitled: Realizing Gender Equality: Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases, Disabilities and Discrimination.

Below we highlight the work of members of our network on NCDs and Women:

NCD Alliance

NCDs: A Priority for Women's Health and Development

International Diabetes Federation

Diabetes in Pregnancy: Protecting Maternal Health

Early Origins of Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Project-WINGS

Women and Diabetes Programme

International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Women and Lung Health

World Heart Federation

Fact Sheet on Women and CVD

Go Red for Women Campaign

'Make a Healthy Heart your Goal'

Union for International Cancer Control

VIDEO PART 1 and PART 2: WHO Global Action Plan on NCDs 2013-2020: The role of breast cancer guidelines for low- and middle- income countries. An interview with Benjamin O. Anderson, M.D. Chair and Director, Breast Health Global Initiatiative.

Pan-Americation Health Organization-WHO

Non-Communicable Diseases and Gender: Success in NCD Prevention and Control Depends on Attention to Gender Roles

Partnership for Maternal, Newborn, & Child Health

Knowledge Summary: Women's and Children's Health and Non-Communicable Diseases