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.
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.
