PODA Rural Women Network demands the ” Right to Health” to be made as a ”Constitutional Right” in Pakistan

Islamabad; Monday 7 April 2025: On World Health Day, PODA Alliance for Rural Women Leadership – Pakistan, representing over 2,000 rural women leaders from 130 + districts, reiterates its call to incorporate right to health in the fundamental chapter of rights of the Constitution of Pakistan.

There is no specific article directly related to right to health in the Constitution of Pakistan. However, Pakistan affirms its commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by adopting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its own national development agenda through a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. SDG 3 states “ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.” In this perspective, it’s obligation of the government to fulfill all indicators described under SDG 3 specifically and Article 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan which safeguards access to healthcare services. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948 with the goal of promoting health, keeping the world safe, and serving the vulnerable. The First World Health Assembly, held that same year, designated April 7 as World Health Day to be celebrated annually starting from 1950. According to WHO the right to health features in approximately three-quarters of the constitutions of the 194 WHO Member States (at least 140).

Focusing on the current theme of World Health Day, Ms. Sameena Nazir, Chief Executive Officer of PODA said “recognizing health as a constitutional right is key to quality healthcare for every mother and newborn. Advocacy, policy reforms, and investment in healthcare infrastructure can make this right a reality.”

The current theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” highlights the importance of ensuring healthy starts in life. By addressing child marriages and promoting access to healthcare, Pakistan can work towards achieving this goal and creating a brighter future for its citizens, said Sameena Nazir.

PODA is implementing a 3-year project, “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality,” supported by the Norwegian Embassy in Islamabad. The project acknowledges the link between child marriages and healthcare in Pakistan, aiming to reduce early pregnancy and related health risks for young mothers and their children. A key strategy involves advocating for a uniform law establishing a minimum age for marriage to mitigate child marriages and associated health issues. Building on years of efforts to combat gender-based violence, PODA has been instrumental in educating marginalized communities about reproductive healthcare, enabling them to access better facilities and services to safeguard their basic constitutional rights.