Gender Equity in the Health Workforce: 3 years on – Women Deliver Conference 2023 Concurrent Session

The “Gender Equity in the Health Workforce – 3 years on” was held during the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali and was co-hosted by the Government of France, Women in Global Health, the International Council of Nurses and Women Deliver.

It was held under the Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce Initiative, taking stock of the last three years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speakers included Dr. Roopa Dhatt, Executive Director of Women in Global Health, Ambassador Delphine O from France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. María José Cisneros-Cáceres, a Women Deliver Young Leader and Dr. Madeleine Mukeshimana from the International Council of Nurses and also an Associate Professor at the University of Rwanda. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Shabnum Sarfraz, Deputy Executive Director of Women in Global Health.

The conversation centered around the 4 pillars of the Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce Initiative, and speakers highlighted the need for more meaningful participation of women in leadership and decision-making in health, as well as for safer and more decent working conditions for women health and care workers, with workplaces free from sexual harassment and violence. Speakers provided examples of policies and programs that have worked to move the needle on gender equity for the health and care workforce, such as the International Labor Organization’s Convention 190 on preventing violence and harassment in the workplace. To date, 31 countries have ratified this convention and out of these, almost 40% are from the Latin American and Caribbean region, showcasing a notable effort made by these governments to address these issues. Other countries that have ratified are the Central African Republic, Mauritius, Somalia and Namibia. Speakers noted a considerable way forward is still needed, highlighting the critical role all stakeholders play in advancing gender equity for health and care workers.