Survivor report prompts renewed urgency for measures against sexual abuse in health workforce

A recent policy report by Women in Global Health revealed the widespread problem of sexual violence and harassment (SEAH) experienced by women health workers. Roopa Dhatt and Mariam Dahir set out recommendations for bringing an end to SEAH in global health.

Although women comprise 70 per cent of the overall health workforce and 90 per cent of frontline staff, men occupy three-quarters of the leadership positions in health. Ironically, women are already leading health service delivery – and are doing it well as they have demonstrated throughout the pandemic. But they are clustered in roles accorded lower status and lower pay, and it is this power imbalance that exposes them to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH), according to a recent policy report from our organisation, ‘Women in Global Health’.