Gender and Intersectionality in a National Policy: Document Analysis of National Health Policy (2017), India

Addressing gender and intersectional experiences is critical to advancing the right to health. The National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 is the most recent national policy on health formulated by the Government of India. This chapter examines NHP 2017 for its approaches to gender and intersectionality. The document analysis of NHP 2017 reveals interesting findings. Gender is the most frequent of the several search terms used. There is a commitment to women’s health, and the priorities align with global ones. However, there is a conflation of women with gender. In effect, the references to gender pertain to women. Gender-based violence is recognized and addressed, although with a limited understanding of patriarchy. Men’s health receives minimal attention, and transgender people are considered to be a category beyond gender. The policy overlooks the gendered implications in much of its content. The targets are gender-blind, overlooking the gendered experiences that shape the health of men, women, and gender minorities (including transgender people). Intersectionality is absent as a term. Though implied in some instances, the ways in which societal axes of disadvantage/privilege intersect (including with gender) are not considered. A course correction will be needed in subsequent NHP(s) if health equity is to be truly achieved. In the spirit of equity, the policy commitment should be to those disadvantaged because of gender—any gender—as played out in confluence with other identities and characteristics. This is not to take away from the current commitment to women. Rather, it is a commitment to advance gender equity by recognizing its complex and interlocking nature. The assurance of the state as a bulwark needs to be central to subsequent NHPs.