Beyond the Veil of Homogeneity: Addressing the Variability of Women’s Health and Policy Gaps in the Middle East

Women’s health in the Middle East is often framed through a homogenous lens that overlooks deep variability shaped by economic status, migration, legal systems, and sociopolitical contexts. While the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for health equity and gender empowerment, implementation across the region is fragmented. While wealthier countries have made significant gains in maternal health and access to healthcare, substantial gaps remain in reproductive, mental, and chronic disease care, especially in conflict zones and under-resourced settings. Migrant women, who are vital for the functioning of key sectors of Gulf economies, face systemic exclusion under restrictive labour and immigration policies such as the kafala system. These women are denied basic health rights despite contributing to economic growth, which is often pursued at the expense of equitable healthcare access. Policy narratives promoting economic reform rarely align with gender-sensitive health system investment, creating a paradox where growth fails to translate into improved outcomes for all women. This critical summary calls for dismantling structural inequities, strengthening inclusive health systems, and embedding intersectional approaches into national policies. Without urgent reform, the SDGs risk reinforcing rather than reducing the disparities faced by diverse groups of women across the Middle East.