Women in Global Health Argentina: Empowering Women in Healthcare Leadership
27 March 2023
Women have long been underrepresented in leadership roles in healthcare, a fact that has real consequences for health systems and delays the achievement of Universal Health Coverage. That’s why the creation of Women in Global Health (WGH) Argentina is such an exciting development.
WGH Argentina is the newest chapter of Women in Global Health in the Americas Region, it was founded by Dr. Julia Ismael and Ms. Emilia Caro, two women with extensive experience in healthcare management and a deep commitment to advancing the role of women in the field.
Dr. Julia Ismael is an oncologist who has worked extensively in public policy and research related to cancer control and access to healthcare. Ms. Emilia Caro is a molecular biologist who has also worked in healthcare management and data science. Together, they recognized the need for greater representation of women in healthcare leadership and decided to take action.
In a recent interview, they spoke about their motivation for founding WGH Argentina. Ms. Caro explained that as the executive director of a foundation with a gender program, she was moved by Women in Global Health’s report: “Delivered by women, led by men.” She saw firsthand how the lack of women in leadership roles in healthcare has real consequences for patients and the system as a whole.
Dr. Ismael, who has held leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, spoke about the challenges that women face in reaching leadership positions in healthcare. She emphasized that even when women do reach these positions, they are often in the minority and face significant pay gaps compared to their male counterparts. This lack of representation, she noted, makes it difficult to generate new ideas and collaborate effectively in decision-making.
Despite these challenges, Ismael and Caro remain committed to empowering women in healthcare leadership. They see WGH Argentina as a way to create a supportive network of women in the field, share resources and expertise, and advocate for change.
The formation of WGH Argentina is an inspiring example of how women can come together to effect change in their industry. As Dr. Ismael noted, “I would tell any group of women who are thinking about starting a chapter not to be afraid, to move forward and start, because it will be of integral help to their country.”
The work of WGH Argentina is just beginning, but its founders are optimistic about the impact they can have. As Ismael said, “We want to do something to ignite change, or at least plant a little seed so that at some point someone else can follow our work and carry out a project that really serves the rest of the women in healthcare.”
The creation of WGH Argentina is a powerful reminder that when women support each other and work together, they can achieve great things. We look forward to seeing the impact that this new chapter will have in advancing gender equality in healthcare leadership in Argentina and beyond.
Don’t miss out on the full interview with the Co-Founders and click here to learn more about our newest Chapter in the Americas region.
