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WASHINGTON, DC, March 8, 2024 (PAHO) – Women make up 70% of the global health and care sector workforce, yet only 25% hold leadership positions . At an event commemorating International Women’s Day, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Gervase Barbosa called for further support for women’s leadership while strengthening the health workforce, especially in the wake of the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. called out. .
Speaking at the High-Level Dialogue on Women’s Leadership in the Community Health and Resilience Agenda, Dr. ) cannot be achieved.” It was organized by the Inter-American Task Force on Women’s Leadership, with support from the Government of Canada and coordinated by the Commission on Women in the Americas (CIM/OAS) of the Organization of American States.
During the intervention at OAS headquarters, the PAHO director highlighted the barriers faced by women health workers, which impact not only their economic and social well-being, but also their communities. emphasized. Dr. Barbosa called for increased representation of women in decision-making forums and stressed the importance of listening to women’s voices. “We must build fairer, more gender-equal, resilient and sustainable societies,” he stressed, and that this means “investing in women and their leadership.” emphasized.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) gender and equity analysis of the global health and social care workforce reveals that the gender leadership gap is a result of stereotypes, discrimination, power imbalances, and privilege. I did. Furthermore, when factors such as race and class are combined, women’s disadvantage becomes even greater. In the healthcare field, women have lower status and are paid less than men. This pay gap is 26% for her, which is higher than in other fields.
PAHO is one of 10 United Nations agencies where women make up more than 50% of the workforce. Furthermore, equity and gender equality are core values of the organization and are integrated into all policies, programs and technical cooperation activities.
“At PAHO, we are committed to investing in women, and including the voices and perspectives of women and girls in decision-making is essential to building resilient health systems and has a positive impact on health and development. I strongly believe that we will give,” said the PAHO director.
OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro highlighted the OAS’ historic commitment to gender equality, as articulated in the Congress and the Inter-American Democratic Charter. She also highlighted the pioneering role of the OAS in promoting gender equality in the Americas over the past almost 100 years through the Inter-American Commission on Women. The Secretary-General also referred to the normative framework developed by the OAS in the area of women’s rights, which has contributed to thinking about issues as diverse as equality in electoral processes and increased representation of women in positions of power. .
Despite this progress, Luis Almagro acknowledged that gender inequalities persist in some areas, such as the right to health, which has been particularly evident during the pandemic. He therefore stressed the need to “adopt a transformative approach” to correct “the social structures and norms that perpetuate sexism.”
Dr. Rhonda Seeley-Thomas, PAHO Deputy Director, spoke on a panel discussion on Women’s Participation and Leadership in Community Health Issues: Opportunities and Challenges. During her panel discussion, she highlighted the organization’s commitment to increasing women’s representation in PAHO leadership positions and empowering women in the region to lead productive lives and reach their full potential. did.
For Dr. Seeley Thomas, the 2030 Health Workforce Policy is crucial in aiming to incorporate a gender perspective into health workforce policy. Regarding women’s access to health services, the Deputy Director-General noted PAHO’s efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and stressed the importance of improving access to HPV testing and vaccination. “Through PAHO, countries can improve access to critical tools that can save women’s lives, give them opportunities to lead productive lives and reach leadership positions,” she said.
The event was also attended by Alejandra Mora Mora, Director General of CIM/OAS. Roopa Dutt, Executive Director, Women in Global Health, Christine Harmston, Director of International Affairs, Public Health Agency, Health Portfolio, and other local authorities and health sector representatives.
The Inter-American Task Force on Women’s Leadership is a platform of 12 international organizations working to increase inter-institutional cooperation and synergies and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. The members of the task force are: CIM/OAS, IACHR, ECLAC, PAHO/WHO, ParlAmericas, UNDP, UN Women, Latin American Development Bank (CAF), Ibero-American Secretariat (SEGIB), IDEA International, CIWiL and Kradem.
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