Gender blind to gender transformative: empowering women as leaders in the global health workforce

Gender equality is fundamental to progress towards UHC, and the COVID-19 pandemic is reinforcing the importance of gender-balanced leadership. This blog from the Global Health Workforce Network’s Gender Equity Hub describes evidence and actions that are needed to ensure that in the International Year of Health and Care Workers progress on gender equity in the health and care workforce is made.

With 70% of the global health and social care workforce being women, it is shocking that 75% of leadership positions are held by men.

Urgent action is needed in the health and social care sectors to address gender inequities and strengthen the health workforce to reach universal health coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Notably, SDG 5, achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, calls for women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership, including in health systems.

Originally posted on UHC2030.org