Powerful barriers including poverty, unequal power relationships between men and women, and lack of education prevent millions of women around the world from having access to health care.

Discrimination and gender inequality are responsible for harming the health of girls' and women throughout their lives. Neglect of their health prevents many women from taking a full part in society.

Childhood, from birth to fifteen, covers the most vulnerable period in a child's life (birth to 5 years). In many developing countries the mortality rate of the girl child between the ages of 2 to 5 is higher than that of boys in the same age group (WHO). In many societies boys are shown preferential treatment this can have a detrimental affect on the girl child leading to malnutrition, stunted growth, anaemia, female infanticide, pregnancy, abortion and female genital mutilation.

Adolescence, an important stage in the growth and development of both girls and boys but there are specific health problems affecting the teenage girl if her nutritional needs are not met, these include anaemia and iodine deficiency. Sexual maturity in girls is of greater concern than in boys because there is the possibility of pregnancy, abortion, girls having children at an early age which is connected to the custom of early marriage.

Adulthood, the physical and emotional health of adult women is dictated by their reproductive and productive roles. Their reproductive role can give rise to complications when giving birth, to anemia, abortion, reproductive tract infections and can make them vulnerable to getting sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Their productive role may expose them to toxic fumes from burning wood or peat because of bad ventilation and badly made cooking stoves. Their agricultural work may expose them to harmful pesticides.

Old Age, In many countries, particularly in the developed world, older people are suffering because of changes in society that have lead to the breakdown of the extended family structure. This means that once grown up, children move away from the family environment to live in cities and other countries. This often leaves older people lonely, alienated and more prone to neglect and poverty. Many older women, particularly in the developing world, face poor nutrition, ill health as a result of child bearing, dangerous working conditions and violence. Often widows and elderly women are mistreated.

Use this model to analyse statistics in your own country