The Great Resignation: Why Women Health Workers Are Leaving
Women, who make up the majority of frontline health workers, are facing unprecedented challenges as the pandemic continues into its fourth year, forcing them to leave the workforce.
The ‘Great Resignation’ of women health workers is impacting women and health systems globally, with a concerning ‘Great Migration’ trend. This exodus exacerbates the existing health worker shortage crisis, affecting countries striving to achieve universal health coverage.
Our report explores these issues in depth and calls for gender-transformative solutions to address workforce imbalances.
About the report
This policy report examines a growing global trend within the health sector, the ‘Great Resignation’ of women health workers leaving or planning to leave the profession. The pandemic has impacted everyone but it has impacted women and men in the health sector differently because of the different and unequal positions they hold in the health workforce and in wider society.
This report sheds light on this alarming phenomenon and its implications for both women and health systems worldwide. With a deep concern for the ‘Great Migration’ of women health workers from low- and middle-income countries, it highlights the urgent need for solutions and sets out recommendations based on gender transformative change to prevent and revert this crisis.
Key messages
- The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has intensified gender disparities within the health workforce. Women health workers, despite their significant contributions, face low pay, inadequate protection, and increased unpaid care work. This has led to a “Great Resignation,” particularly in high-income countries, demanding urgent action.
- The resignation of women health workers in high-income countries is driving a “Great Migration” from low-income countries, straining already vulnerable health systems. Rapid health worker loss threatens global health goals, including Universal Health Coverage.
- Global health worker shortages were a concern pre-pandemic, and the crisis has exacerbated this issue. Urgent action is needed to retain and attract women health workers back into the sector.
- Current global measures to protect health workers may fail if strong incentives for migration are introduced in high-income countries. Urgent action is required at all levels to address this pressing issue and the gender inequities within the health workforce.
The Great Resignation: Why Women Health Workers are Leaving – Policy Report Launch
This virtual launch event, scheduled offered a unique opportunity to delve into the report’s findings and possible policy solutions.
Don’t miss the chance to gain insights from the perspective of women health workers themselves and engage in the discussion of policy implications. Join us to be part of the conversation that seeks to address these critical issues.
