Activism and Advocacy in South Asia for Gender Equality and Equity in Health: An Overview

South Asia has a rich history of social activism for gender equality, including in health and well-being. Many, if not all, of the gains and continued struggles have been a result of feminist activists working tirelessly to ensure the realization of the rights of marginalized groups at multiple levels. Activists have persevered despite the shrinking of spaces and the influence of right-wing forces in all countries who work to limit our rights and have invaded formal and informal spaces. The analysis in this chapter captures some of these experiences as shared by activists in the region in the context of ensuring gender equality in health. What is clear is that while activists have come a long way from the very local-level engagements to the national movements, the fight for justice continues. This engagement has to occur across multiple levels while engaging a range of actors. Sustaining the efforts of these activists on the broad range of issues they work on and the change that has been created thus far must be recognized across the board.