Women Community Health Workers: Leading Change
Women community health workers (CHWs) are vital in achieving health for all. Yet, they face economic and gender injustice, with over 6 million being either unpaid or significantly underpaid, working in insecure conditions with few opportunities.
Despite this, women CHWs are breaking gender stereotypes, and acting as role models for younger women and their communities.
Our report highlights women community health workers (CHWs) as leaders and agents of social change in their communities, exploring their experiences and advocating for their career advancement.
About the report
With the launch of our groundbreaking new report: ‘Women Community Health Workers: Leading Change’ we demonstrate how women CHWs are leaders and agents of social change in their communities, sharing the experiences and unheard perspectives of women CHWs.
This novel research in six countries asked women CHWs what leadership means to them and examined what it will take to empower women CHWs to realize their ambitions. The report also examines what it would take to enable women CHWs to lead and realize their career progression ambitions – to their benefit and the benefit of health systems.
Key messages
- Women CHWs know their value and want to progress in their careers but need tailored opportunities.
- Women CHWs’ perceptions of what it means to be a leader challenge the health systems’ hierarchical models that exclude them.
- Women CHWs are driving gender-transformative change but need more support.
- Women CHWs face economic and gender injustice.
- Women CHWs have the answers but are invisible to policymakers.
- Women CHWs can help resolve the global health worker shortage emergency.
7 Key Asks for Women Community Health Workers
For World Health Worker Week 2024, Women in Global Health called for gender and economic justice for women Community Health Workers. By professionalizing their roles, we empower women, strengthen local health systems, and ultimately improve health outcomes for all. When CHWs have the training, supervision, and resources they deserve, they can reach their full potential, delivering quality care and promoting healthier communities.
Read our seven asks for Women CHWs:
