In the dynamic landscape of global health leadership, where challenges are vast and solutions are urgent, the voices echoing from the Women’s Health Conference 2024 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with the theme “ReIMAGINING LEADERSHIP: NEW APPROACHES TO NEW CHALLENGES,” resonate with a clear call to action: It’s time to empower women leaders.
In spite of constituting 70 percent of the healthcare workforce worldwide, women hold merely 25 percent of senior leadership roles in the global health sector.
This glaring incongruity, highlighted at the conference, underscores the critical need for change, not only to dismantle systemic barriers hindering women’s ascent to leadership positions but also to leverage the diverse perspectives and expertise of women in shaping the future of global health.
Throughout the conference, a report, co-chaired by WHO and Women in Global Health, echoed the systemic biases, inadequate policies, and workplace challenges perpetuating gender disparities in health leadership.
From unequal pay to limited support and mentorship for aspiring female leaders, the obstacles are manifold and demand urgent attention.
One inspiring example comes from Dr. Idyoro Ojukwu, who overcame cultural and societal barriers in her home country of South Sudan to become the first female obstetrician and gynecologist, pioneering gynecological oncology in her country.
Ojukwu’s journey, shared at the conference, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women aspiring to leadership roles in global health.
Exploring a spectrum of insights from leaders in the field of global health, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO AFRO Regional Director, shared her own experiences of growing into a global health leader, inspiring the audience with uplifting anecdotes on powering through adversity to create change.
“Attending this conference has opened my eyes to the importance of gender equity in global health leadership.
“I’m committed to advocating for change in my organisation and supporting women in leadership roles,” Mrs. Lilys Njeru, a health and climate change journalist from Kenya, said.
“The stories shared at this conference have ignited a fire within me to do more to promote women’s leadership in global health. Together, we can make a difference,” are the views of Dr. Williams Mensah, a health policy analyst.
According to the report, key findings on gender, equity, and leadership in the global health and social workforce delivered by women and led by men are: gender leadership gaps are driven by stereotypes, discrimination, power imbalance, and privilege.
Women’s disadvantage intersects with and is multiplied by other identities, such as race and class. Global health is weakened by excluding female talent, ideas, and knowledge.
The study, which includes 200 organisations active in global health, found that 73 per cent were headed at the executive level by men.
Women, therefore, hold around one-quarter of leadership positions, but women from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) were particularly marginalised – holding only five per cent of executive-level roles in such.
The study, in closing the gender gap in global health leadership, could result in significant economic and social benefits, including improved health outcomes, increased innovation, and enhanced productivity.
However, in spite these potential benefits, progress toward gender equity in leadership roles has been slow.
Regardless of efforts to increase women’s representation in global health research, gender disparity persists, particularly in leadership roles.
Global statistics reveal that women represent only 29.2 per cent of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce, with their representation dwindling to 12 per cent in STEM leadership and 31 per cent in research and development.
Dr. Phillip Isdor Mpango, Vice-President of the United Republic of Tanzania, highlighted the progress made in gender equality while acknowledging the challenges in leadership in global health and other sectors, stating that women held the key to addressing present and future challenges and could make a significant difference if allowed to lead.
“This conference is taking place at a critical moment when the world is grappling with geopolitical tensions, the climate crisis, stubborn diseases as well as global health challenges like malnutrition,” he said.
Mpango said it was now time to direct more financial resources to create more women leaders, noting the impressive contributions of H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, to empower girls and women through access to education, health, and economic opportunities.
His remarks were echoed on a fireside chat with the theme: “Collective action for gender equity” by the Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, and H.E. Dr Jakaya Kikwete, former President of Tanzania.
At the conference, a significant challenge highlighted was the insufficient mentorship and sponsorship avenues available for women in the global health sector.
To tackle this issue, Mr. Dana Hovig, Director of Gender Equality & Governance, underscored the crucial need for collaborative efforts from women and their allies in achieving gender equity in global health leadership.
Hovig said that most male allies were nervous, fearful of doing or saying the wrong thing, of being judged.
He shared a personal experience, revealing how he was nicknamed for speaking up for women, highlighting the challenges some male allies face in their pursuit of advancing gender equity.
Advocacy is paramount in raising awareness and driving policy changes and organizational reforms. Dr. Paulin Basinga, Director of Health, Africa for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, underscored the significance of mentorship and sponsorship programs for providing women access to guidance and networking opportunities, thereby aiding career advancement.
Basinga said that men should create more spaces for women to share their perspectives where they were comfortable; “A soccer match is more conducive for women than going out for a drink in some contexts,” he said.
Mr. Wessel Van den Berg, Senior Advocacy Officer, Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, stressed the importance of fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion to create supportive environments for women to thrive.
Berg said that allyship in private spaces was invisible. Women’s care work at home was mostly invisible. Noting it was time that men join this invisible work.
Additionally, Dr. Michael Adekunle, CEO of Roll Back Malaria, highlighted the need for male allies to listen attentively and support women in finding solutions collaboratively.
“Men, we should listen with intent and intentionality not to butt in or to think we always have the solutions as leaders.
“If you come to me with a problem, we will walk through it together so you are empowered to solve them in the future,” he said.
Together, these leaders underscored the importance of strategic interventions to address gender disparity and advance the global health agenda for the benefit of all.
Meanwhile, speaking on the role of elevating women’s leadership in media, Ms Lizz Ntonjira, Communications and Engagement Director, WomenLift Health, said that women’s visibility in newsrooms was vital for diversity, balanced coverage, and a broader range of perspectives.
Ntonjira said that their unique viewpoints enrich reporting, leading to more comprehensive stories. “Diverse newsrooms reflect audience demographics, enhancing engagement and trust. Women’s presence inspires others and promotes gender equality in journalism,” she said.
She said that their visibility fosters inclusive media environments that accurately represent society’s complexity.
Initiatives such as the Women’s Health Conference serve as catalysts for change, inspiring individuals and organisations to take action and create a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
As the conference comes to a close, the challenge remains clear: to translate words into action.
Whether it’s advocating for policy changes, supporting mentorship programs, or promoting women’s leadership development, each of us has a role to play in advancing gender equity in global health leadership.
From establishing new connections with fellow delegates to committing to become mentors for others, participants left the conference inspired and determined to drive meaningful change in their professional and personal lives.
According to Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, Former UNICEF Representative India and Board Chair, WomenLift Health, each attendee should commit to at least one actionable step towards empowering women in health leadership upon returning home.
According to Haque, whether it’s initiating conversations on male allyship in the workplace or actively supporting women’s leadership development programs, every effort counts in the journey towards gender equity and inclusive leadership.
The collective effort of leaders at every level of society can pave the way for a world where women thrive and contribute their full potential to global health and beyond. (NANFeatures)
