The Heroines of Health Awards were established by Women in Global Health in 2017 as a powerful platform to amplify the exceptional work done by women, who are the majority of the health workforce. Women drive and deliver health but their contributions often remain invisible and under-recognized. This year, we recognized the contribution of women health workers in Africa in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, which are key to guaranteeing the health and bodily autonomy of girls and women and achieving health for all.
These extraordinary women represent the heart and soul of health in Africa and include Community Health Workers, midwives, doctors, nurses and gender advocates. Each brings a unique perspective and expertise and is making an invaluable contribution to realizing the right to health for women and girls especially and to achieving Universal Health Coverage in Africa.
Now, more than ever, we are at a critical juncture for gender equality, and by raising the visibility and achievements of women workers, we want to drive transformative change for equality in leadership, safe and decent working conditions, and fair and equal pay.
Building on five previous Heroines of Health Awards, Women in Global Health hosted the 2023 Gala during the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
In line with the conference’s focus on bodily autonomy and the rights of women and girls, the Gala recognized exceptional women leaders in health driving change for safe maternity, safe abortion, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and to mark the location of the Conference, we focused on inspirational women health workers based exclusively in Africa.