Civil Society

Abstract

Civil society has been vital to many measures that have improved governance for health. Advocates outside government have inspired many policy and law changes that have resulted in improved health and well-being. Examples include the abolition of slavery, women’s voting rights, and marriage equality. Civil society is also vital to maintain good governance through mechanisms including representative boards of management, watchdog functions, and formal processes of participation. This chapter reviews each of these to demonstrate that civil society is vital to good governance for health. The chapter argues that governance for health is much stronger and more likely to come about when there is top-down action from government, combined with bottom-up pressure for change that can force the hand of governments to act in favor of health, equity, and sustainability. Many examples of civil society action are provided.