Press Release: Heroines of Health – 2022

Global health awards recognize outstanding women in health

October 17, 2022 – A Ukrainian surgeon working under siege through a devastating war; a HIV positive mentor mother working unpaid in the informal settlements of Nairobi, and a group of Community Health Workers in India are among 17 inspiring winners of this year’s Heroines of Health Awards.

Held on the sidelines of the World Health Summit on October 17, the awards put the spotlight on traditionally unrecognized women who are the backbone of global health systems. Women account for 70 percent of the health workforce and 90 percent of frontline workers, yet continue to be clustered into lower status, lower paid and unpaid roles and left out of decision-making.

Now in its fifth year, the Heroines of Health Awards have been attended by global leaders, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization; Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark; and Former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to highlight the fact that women deliver health, but do not lead it.

“Women health and care workers have been characterized as heroines for remaining on the frontlines of  the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic has illuminated the gender inequities in the health workforce that are causing the “Great Resignation in Health”. These inequities are placing women workers at a disadvantage undermining health systems and global health security,” Dr Roopa Dhatt, Women in Global Health Executive Director.

From the front lines of the Ukraine war, to the remotest parts of Ethiopia, each of the women have demonstrated outstanding contributions to deliver impact in their communities. As doctors, community health workers, gender advocates and global health leaders, all have been working under the most extreme circumstances to deliver health.

The gala event “Leading Change: Heroines of Health,” offers women a platform for action to highlight the vulnerabilities in the health system and demonstrate how they have been mobilizing for change.

As well as the Heroines of Health, attendees will hear from Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,  Director General, World Health Organization and First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos.

The awards will be presented to Heroines during the event by: Ambassador Dr John Nkengasong US Govt; Hon Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; and the Hon Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former President of United Nations General Assembly and former Minister Ecuador.

The event is supported by Johnson & Johnson.

ENDS

The awardees are available to interview.

Media contact and to connect with spokespeople on this issue:

Joan Bolger e: joan.bolger@womeningh.org / t: 00353 – 85-285-6977

EDITOR’S NOTES

Women in Global Health (WGH) is the fast-growing women-led movement demanding gender equity in global health. While women represent the majority of the workforce, they hold just a quarter of leadership positions. Women in Global Health campaigns for equal representation for women in health leadership; equitable pay and ending unpaid work for women health workers; and the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.