The Government will be questioned on what is being done to support the health and wellbeing of women and girls in Jersey at a special scrutiny hearing later this month – after a report uncovered “systemic gender inequalities” in the island putting females at “a greater risk of poor health”.

The public hearing, organised by the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel, will focus on the women’s health services currently available, gaps in provision, funding, and progress on ongoing reviews.

The meeting was called in response to a report published by Jersey’s Public Health department in December, which found that women and girls on the island are more likely to experience poor health than men.

The report, based on over 1,650 survey responses and professional interviews, revealed that women face “systemic gender inequalities” across key areas including income, mental health, childcare, and access to healthcare.

It concluded that women in Jersey are at greater risk of poor health due to a combination of biological, social, and economic pressures. These include lower average wages, higher levels of financial stress, and the mental load of juggling work and family responsibilities – all of which can have lasting impacts on both physical and mental health.

The public hearing also follows the Government’s decision last year to drop plans to develop a dedicated Women’s Health Strategy due to “resource constraints“.

Deputy Louise Doublet, Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, said the event is a chance to hold the Health Minister to account on this decision, and to understand how the Government now intends to respond to the issues raised in the report.

“Our health system belongs to us all and it must serve us all in the best way it can,” said Deputy Doublet.

“However, evidence suggests that it historically has been more accommodating towards men’s health needs.”

She added: “The Women’s Health and Wellbeing report suggests women and girls in Jersey face several barriers when it comes to their care.

“These include dismissive and misogynistic attitudes and limited access to specialists.

“This, along with the Government’s decision to halt progress on a women’s health strategy, has prompted plenty of social debate.”

Deputy Doublet said it is important that the Government listens to the experiences of women and girls and acts on the evidence it has.

“Women and girls account for more than half of Jersey’s population,” she said.

“We know from global research that while women live longer than men, they spend a significantly greater proportion of their lives in ill-health.

“The Panel wants to know how the Minister and his team will use the findings and data from this report to better support women and girls, and ensure their needs are being met in future.”

GET INVOLVED…

  • The hearing will take place at St Paul’s Centre on Wednesday 30 April from 12:00 to 14:00.
  • Members of the public are encouraged to attend, with the Panel available from 11:30 to speak with islanders before the session begins.
  • Islanders can submit their own questions for the Health Minister and his team by emailing scrutiny@gov.je by Wednesday 23 April.
  • Although the hearing will not be live-streamed, a recording will be uploaded to the States Assembly website and YouTube after the event.