Reimagining the role of the Nigerian Woman in the Global Health Workforce!

I was delighted to deliver my Patron’s Address and launch the Women in Global Health Nigeria Chapter, as we highlighted the importance of ensuring Nigerian women are visible and recognised, while being empowered to shape global health programming, policy and advocacy in communities in Nigeria and the diaspora, through the official launch of the Women in Global Health Nigeria Chapter yesterday.

As today is the United Nations World Day for Safety and Health at Work, it is vital to note that a safe, healthy and thriving working environment is a fundamental principle and right for all. Globally, women play a significant role and make up more than 70% of the health workforce, yet they occupy less than 25% of senior decision-making positions and are generally in lower paying positions, with less safety and health support.

With the aim to achieve gender parity and equity in global health leadership through bringing all genders and backgrounds together to champion Global Transformative Leadership, WGH Nigeria will advance the inclusivity of Nigerian women in the healthcare system and challenge the stereotypes and bias that often reinforces gender inequality in the Nigerian health sector.

To increase the number of women in positions of leadership in healthcare, we must build a progressive pipeline of confident girls, and systems to remunerate and support female healthcare workers properly, forming resilient and targeted healthcare structures in Nigeria.

My the Wellbeing Foundation Africa and I look forward to working with Women in Global Health Nigeria, Pathfinder International, and our Gates Foundation supporters to develop a strategic roadmap for engendering women in health leadership, while engaging with United Nations agencies and international organisations working in health in Nigeria to commit to gender parity being an integral part of their organisational structure and memory.

 

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