Health professionals across East Africa have called for stronger ties and concerted efforts to close the gender gap in global health leadership.
Mr Liberty Kituu, Communications Manager–East Africa at WomenLift Health, in a statement on Friday, said the advocacy was made at the inaugural WomenLift Health East Africa Regional Dialogues.
Kituu noted that the event, held in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together no fewer than 300 health professionals, policymakers and development partners and underscored the critical need for increased investment in women’s leadership in health.
He stressed that efforts must also focus at dismantling systemic barriers such as socio-cultural norms and workplace biases.
“At the event, Dr Zeinab Gura, Deputy Director General for Health at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of integrating women into health leadership.
“Universal Health Coverage cannot be achieved without ensuring the health of women and children; women leaders bring diverse perspectives and lived experiences to health policies and decisions.’’
He said that thought women comprised 70 per cent of the global healthcare workforce, they remained significantly underrepresented in leadership roles, holding just 25 per cent of senior positions.
According to him, only five percent of such positions are occupied by women from low- and middle-income countries.
He said the disparities were further detailed in a WomenLift Health report, which outlined barriers such as weak mentorship, stigmatisation of women in leadership and culturally entrenched male dominance.
Kituu also quoted “Dr Norah Obudho, East Africa Director for WomenLift Health, as highlighting the critical role of male allies in advancing women’s leadership.
“Male allies have a responsibility to use their power, privilege and influence to champion change.’’
He said that the conference stressed that without significant intervention, it could take 140 years for women to achieve equal representation in leadership roles.
“The event underscored the urgency of allyship and collective action to address gender inequality in the health sector,” he said.
NAN reports that WomenLift Health, established in 2019, works to improve health outcomes and gender equality by investing in women’s leadership in the health sector through various initiatives at the individual, institutional and societal levels.
These initiatives include “Leadership Journeys,” which equip mid-career women with the tools, peer support, mentorship and coaching needed to effectively use their voices and expertise for impactful leadership.
WomenLift Health also fosters dialogue with senior leaders in health institutions, encouraging them to prioritise gender equality and convenes global conversations about the importance of women’s leadership, including at its biennial WomenLift Health Global Conference.
The organisation envisions a world where diverse, accomplished leaders collaboratively transform health outcomes.
In addition to its work in East Africa, WomenLift Health operates in India, North America, Southern Africa and is exploring expansion into other regions.
