International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, scientific and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating the rights of women.

This year Women in Global Health asked their network to answer the question “How and why do you break the bias for gender equality?”. Our chapters were also asked to send a quote about the importance of breaking stereotypes and the need to achieve gender equality in health. In this booklet, you will find answers from around the world that are a call to action for women’s rights and empowerment.

Why do we need to break stereotypes?

• Women comprise 70% of the health workforce but hold only 25% of leadership roles, they are health systems experts and want an equal place in leadership.
• Women in the health sector still earn 23% less than their male counterparts and millions of women work unpaid and grossly underpaid in the health sector, they need fair and equal pay to protect us all.
• Medical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is designed for men’s bodies and leaves women health workers at risk of infection and working without dignity. Women health workers must be protected by PPE designed for women
• Women health workers are frequently subject to violence and sexual harassment at work which causes them physical and psychological harm. Women health workers must be free to do their jobs safe from violence and sexual harassment

  After two years of the pandemic, there is a ‘great resignation’ with significant numbers of frontline women health workers suffering burnout and planning to leave the sector. Women health workers need a new social contract with safe, decent, and equal work – the world cannot afford to lose the women health workers who have safeguarded our health in the pandemic.

  Join us to call for a new social contract for women, share and celebrate our chapters’ thoughts on equality!