Research plays a significant role in the development of both gender equality and women’s health. Forte has been commissioned by the government to map and analyse research needs in the field of women’s health and diseases. In our final report, which was submitted to the government in November, we propose, among other things, an investment in research. Here, you can read more about the proposal and, what will happen in the future.

The proposal

As a result of the government assignment to map and analyse research needs on the field of women’s health, Forte together with the Swedish research council, propose an investment in research with the following to targets:

  • To promote long-term knowledge development.
  • To contribute to building or strengthening competitive and sustainable research environments.

According to the proposal, the investment should be focused on two main areas:

  • Diseases and health conditions that are unique to or more common in women.
  • Women’s health during pregnancy, and maternity care, including delivery and postnatal care.

The investment should include basic, applied, practical, and patient-oriented research. It should also relate to the ongoing government commissions and agreements on a national level with respect to women’s health and maternity care. The proposed budged is SEK 60–80 million per year, with a time¬frame of 7–8 years.

The investment also welcomes several cross-cutting perspectives:

  • A life course perspective, including longitudinal studies.
  • A gender perspective and intersectionality.
  • Collaboration or co-creation with patients and other relevant stakeholders in the entire or parts of the research process.
  • Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaborations.

What will happen now?

We are now awaiting feedback on the proposal from the government which we expect through the research policy bill that will be presented in the autumn of 2024. Until further notice, we refer researchers to apply for funding from Forte’s other initiatives and calls that may be relevant to issues of women’s health and diseases. For instance: