Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: 'Universal access to health care is not a myth or a dream. It is a human right. We cannot implement that human right without effective health systems. We need a worldwide movement – led by women – to make this simple message stick.'

The International Day Of Action For Women's Health falls on May the 28th, every year.

The origins of this world health day stem from a 1987 meeting of the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), in Costa Rica, where the Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network proposed the creation of a global day of action for women's health.

Since then, 28 May has become widely known and celebrated around the world by innumerable women's and health groups.

The WGNRR is a network of 2000 autonomous organizations and individuals in 157 countries, and has been working since 1984 to achieve and support reproductive and sexual health and rights for women.

Some organizations in partnership with WGNRR include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ethical Globalization Initiative (EGI), Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network (LACWHN), Ipas (Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services), etc.

According to experts working for the betterment of women, health clearly reflects the many inequalities of women's daily lives. Asymmetry between the sexes seriously impedes the ability of women to exercise their right to health.

The WGNRR defines sexual and reproductive rights as a series of interrelated, basic human rights which enable women to have safe, responsible and fulfilling sex lives and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to have children-free from coercion, discrimination and violence.

This also includes the right of access to safe, legal abortion.

Says one of WGNRR's supporters, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, of the need to address one of the two leading causes of death among women of reproductive age, in developing countries – pregnancy related complications: 'Every year these complications kill an estimated 600,000 women. These tragedies command far less attention than terrorism because these horrors occur off camera and out of sight in dusty villages and shanty towns where nothing grows, except the appetites of small children.'

'Call For Action'

The Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) in collaboration with members and campaign supporters) publishes a 'Call for Action' every year, to raise awareness and promote solidarity and action on the International Day of Action for Women's Health.

In the 1990s, the 'Calls for Action' mostly addressed issues related to maternal mortality and morbidity. Since the late 1990s, the topics were broadened to cover issues like health services, trade agreements, health sector reforms and AIDS.

From 2003 onwards, the 'Call for Action' was part of the Women's Access to Health Campaign and focused on a specific topic within the campaign.

The year 2007 marks two decades since the first International Day of Action for Women's Health was held.