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Venus Dadirai Mushininga | Zimbabwe

Venus is a distinguished leader in the field of global health, demonstrating exceptional dedication to advancing healthcare with a keen focus on gender equality. Throughout her illustrious career, she has played pivotal roles in national and international healthcare initiatives, prioritizing the needs of women and patients, particularly in oncology and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Her contributions to healthcare access are noteworthy, having pioneered groundbreaking initiatives aimed at breaking barriers to healthcare services. Notably, she established Zimbabwe’s first pharmaceutical wholesaler specializing in oncology medicines, ensuring equitable access to life-saving treatments for women and patients.

As a fervent advocate for women in leadership, Venus has founded and presides over several organizations, including the Zimbabwe Society of Oncology Pharmacy and the Women in Global Health Zimbabwe Chapter. She is also a founding member of the Zimbabwe Women in Pharmacy. Through these platforms, she has championed gender diversity and inclusion within the healthcare sector, empowering women to take on leadership roles and drive positive change.

Venus’s leadership extends beyond organizational roles; she actively advocates for policies and practices that address the unique health needs of women. Her involvement in global initiatives, such as the African Cancer Organisation and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), amplifies the voices of women in healthcare decision-making processes, ensuring their perspectives are heard and prioritized.

Committed to advancing knowledge and understanding in healthcare, Venus engages in research on access to oncology services, NCDs, climate change, health systems strengthening, global health security and global health disparities. As a part-time lecturer at the Women University in Africa, she inspires future generations of researchers, particularly women, to pursue careers in healthcare research and academia.

In her volunteer work with various organisations in Zimbabwe, Venus provides technical advice in oncology and health care services, demonstrating her dedication to serving marginalized communities, where women often face healthcare disparities. Her initiatives aim to ensure that women have equal access to quality healthcare services, furthering the goal of gender equity in healthcare.

Venus’s exemplary career exemplifies the transformative impact of gender-sensitive leadership in healthcare. Her commitment to advancing women’s health, combined with her extensive research and advocacy efforts, makes her a role model for aspiring researchers seeking to address gender disparities in health research and practice.

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