Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) held the fifth installment of “30-minute Health Policy Update,” a series of briefings for Diet Members on the most pressing health policy issues of today. This meeting was titled “Supporting Women’s Health Women Over the Life Course – The Importance of Reproductive Health and Rights.”

The meeting featured a lecture on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) from Dr. Ruriko Tsushima (President, Japan Women Foundation; President, Women’s Clinic Network; Obstetrician and Gynecologist). After introducing the basic concepts behind SRHR, Dr. Tsushima spoke on the difficulties faced by women in the broader context of SRHR, health literacy and menstruation, oral contraceptives (including low-dose birth control), and broadening use of emergency contraception while sharing evidence to illustrate the importance of SRHR for young women. After the lecture, there were many questions from the attending Diet Members on topics such as the current state of sex education and Japan’s low vaccination rate for human papillomavirus (HPV). Dr. Tsushima responded to these questions while introducing examples from overseas and a lively opinion exchange session was held.

■ Background

Although society-wide efforts to promote the advancement of women are underway, women still lack sufficient societal support. In recognition of this situation, HGPI started the Women’s Health Project in 2015 to conduct surveys and formulate policy proposals to improve women’s health and health literacy. Continuing from the third non-partisan Diet Members’ health policy briefing, the concept of this study session was to provide an opportunity for both Diet Members involved in the field of healthcare policy and who specialize in other fields to learn about or reexamine the importance of SRHR to support women’s health throughout the life course.

For more information on HGPI’s past activities for women’s health, please see the “Survey on Health Promotion and Working Women 2018” and “Developing a Comprehensive Health Education Program for University Students and Program Effectiveness Survey Results” reports on the HGPI website.

■ Program

Explanatory Introduction
Yukiko Imamura (Manager, HGPI)

Lecture “Supporting Women’s Health Women Over the Life Course – The Importance of Reproductive Health and Rights”
Ruriko Tsushima (President, Japan Women Foundation; President, Women’s Clinic Network; Obstetrician and Gynecologist)

Closing Remarks
Kiyoshi Kurokawa (Chairman, HGPI)