Seven women leaders recognised as Heroines of Health for their outstanding contributions to health and gender equity, and call for urgent action to address crippling health worker shortages .

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The seven incredible Heroines of Health, Ramatu Jalloh, Jane Kubai, Neha Mankani, Dr. Myrna Doumit, Dr. Vandana Gopikumar and Greisy Trejo were accompanied at the awards by H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Dr. Suraya Dalil, Prof. Flavia Senkubuge and Laura Nel with video remarks from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Anita Bhatia. Spoken word artist Mumbi Macharia performed a very special poem 'Beyond Applause' for the Heroines. 

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This virtual Gala provided a critical platform to hear from women health workers on the frontlines of COVID-19 who have risked their lives under the most extreme circumstances to deliver health services. Stories were shared of courage, leadership and overcoming unimaginable challenges. Discussions dealt with how to break down the barriers women in health face, and called for a new social contract for women health workers. 

 

As the majority of the global health workforce, women have made an extraordinary contribution on the frontlines of this pandemic. But despite their expertise women continue to be clustered into lower status jobs, lower paid and unpaid, frequently in unsafe working conditions subject to violence and sexual harassment and left out of decision-making roles. 

 

The Heroines of Health Awards began in 2017, recognized by global leaders, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, WHO, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark and Former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to shine a much needed spotlight on the glaringly problematic fact that women deliver health, but do not lead it.

 

Key take aways from the event:

• We have a key opportunity politically to accelerate progress on gender equity but we must stand in solidarity, with a united voice to make change happen

• We have to walk the talk when it comes to listening to what women are calling for on the frontlines of healthcare 

• Local decision making and action to enable this is a prerequisite to enabling stronger leadership pipelines for women 

• We must have the confidence and courage to stand up for what we believe in, and for what is just and right

• Together are a powerful force for change. Let's invest in this network and strengthen our collective voice

• There are Heroines in all of our lives, let's celebrate each other and strengthen our call for a gender equal world 

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The Issue

Women health and care workers have been characterized as heroines for remaining on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic but the pandemic has shone a harsh light on the gender inequities in the health and care workforce that disadvantage women workers and at the same time, undermine health systems and global health security. At a glance: 

 

• Women comprise 70% of health workers but only 25% of senior roles (WHO)

• $1.5 Trillion of women's healthcare work is unpaid. The equivalent of the GDP of Australia (UN Women)

• 18 million more health workers are needed in low- and middle-income countries (WHO)

• By 2030, there will be a global shortage of 40 million health workers (WHO)

• Many women healthcare workers are considering leaving their jobs due to harassment, low pay and low status. Recent studies found 43% of nurses in US and  33% of nurses in UK are considering leaving the profession

 

It is time to build a new social contract for women health workers. 

 

The world cannot afford to lose one trained health worker.  The COVID-19 pandemic and related health crises are far from over. A new social contract is needed now to retain women in the health workforce and attract more women to fill the millions of vacant jobs in the sector. 

 

Women want the means - decent work, safety, dignity, fair pay and equal leadership - to do their jobs better and deliver stronger health outcomes for everyone. That new social contract will form the solid foundation for vaccinating the world, saving lives now and building back better and achieving global health security.

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Read full profiles of all 7 Heroines of Health here with illustrations of the Heroines by Nikita Abuya and designed by Marie Prevot and don't miss out on the event recording.