Imperatives of Health Education in Gender Development

Edem EO, Effiom BE, Ojedor F and Akpan BV

Published on: 2023-11-29

Abstract

Perhaps the simplest definition of development is that given by [1], for whom development means ‘just change’. As such, development is a positive word that in our everyday lives is virtually synonymous with progress, although we should note the importance of distinguishing the two concepts. Development may entail disruption of established patterns of living, and there are huge disagreements about how it is obtained or whether it is occurring. Nevertheless, over the long term, it implies increased living standards, improved health and well-being for all, and the achievement of whatever is regarded as a general good for society at large.

However, the two words ‘good change’ already combine quite different ideas, which can cause confusion between different senses in which the term development is used. ‘Good’ implies a vision of a desirable society (‘well-being for all’); something to aim for; a state of being with certain positive attributes that can be measured so that we can talk of 'more' or 'less' development. 'Change', on the other hand, is a process that can entail disruption and may or may not be possible to direct.