A new study has demonstrated the importance of women’s rights. The researchers behind the study state that many parts of the world have made good economic progress, but women’s rights are often overlooked. Thus, they wanted to determine if there was a link between protection of women’s rights and public health.

The researchers analyzed databases which held information from 162 countries for the period 2004 to 2010.

Countries were classified according to the respect they gave to women’s economic and social rights. There were three categories. They were high, moderate, and poor.

Analysis of the data showed that countries with strong women’s rights had better health than those where women’s rights were not as respected.

The health indicators studied included disease prevention, reproductive health, death rates, and life expectancy.

Furthermore, in countries where women’s rights were most respected, but where access to hospitals and doctors was below average, health outcomes were still better than in countries rated as moderate or poor. This confirms that even with a lack of resources, if a country has strong women’s rights, the health outcomes are better.

Thus, the researchers argued that gender equality is not just a women’s rights issue. It is also a development issue. This is because better health aids economic development. They note that the value of women’s rights has often been questioned from an economic standpoint. Some have argued that ensuring those rights would limit progress, but this study indicates the opposite.

Q16. What did the researchers of the new study try to determine?
Q17. What does the passage say about countries lacking in medical resources?
Q18. What has often been questioned regarding women's rights?