From Conversation to Action: Advancing Gender Equality in Global Health

Key takeaways from our UNGA side event in New York, September 26, 2024  

On the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, we hosted a gathering of leaders focused on championing women’s leadership and advancing gender equality in the health sector

Our informal gathering, in partnership with WomenLift Health, brought together advocates dedicated to promoting women’s leadership in health for a relaxed evening discussing how we can continue to tackle ongoing disparities in the health workforce. We were honoured to hear from our distinguished guest, the Rt Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and GH5050 Advisory Council member, who shared valuable insights on moving this agenda forward.

“Equality in our workplaces isn’t going to happen by accident. It needs very intentional policies, strategies and actions at every level within organisations and through legislation to make it a reality. And we need systems of accountability that are going to see that commitments are delivered on... I think Global Health 50/50 has been making organisations painfully aware of this. Everyone looks at the GH5050 score cards and they say, where do I rank on being a gender responsive workplace? And you know, it creates a bit of tension and a bit of competition, and this is good and should continue.” – Helen Clark

Representatives from several organisations featured in our latest Gaining Ground? report attended the networking event, providing an opportunity to discuss current progress and areas for improvement. Report cards, detailing feedback on each organisation’s performance regarding gender equality in global health, were distributed to facilitate these discussions. 

Sharmila Mhatre, a member of our Advisory Council, spoke about GH5050’s commitment to holding institutions accountable for intersectional gender justice, emphasising the need for organisations to “walk the talk” when it comes to equality. 

“Global Health 5050 has a critical role as an independent accountability monitor. And I think in today’s world where there’s misinformation, disinformation, and division we need data like this to help us reflect on the complexity of the world. Gender and racial intersectional justice, leadership, diversity, inclusion, decolonising global health are not bi-variate simple siloed terms. The rigorous and nuanced data that the GH5050 team provides enables us to engage in more meaningful conversations, helping us move forward together in solidarity for a better future.” – Sharmila Mhatre

Our co-CEO Prof Kent Buse and deputy director Sonja Tanaka, who attended the event, reflect on its success and the shared commitment to advancing women’s leadership in global health. 

“I found our event on the sidelines of the UNGA truly inspiring, witnessing the incredible power and palpable energy generated by a community of like-minded women supporting one another in the pursuit of social justice, gender equality, and women’s leadership. Hats off to WomenLift Health for their unwavering support of multiple cohorts of leaders driving progress towards women’s leadership and gender equality. I am proud that GH5050 is a part of this coalition for change.”  – Prof Kent Buse

“We need more spaces like this for powerful and passionate women to connect, share and organise. I’m always inspired and grateful to be in a room such as this one, pushing for gender equality and women’s leadership, including inside the UN General Assembly walls.” – Sonja Tanaka

Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and to the changemakers driving progress towards our common goal of advancing gender equality in the health sector.  

Read our latest report here to discover how you can support gender equity in leadership within your organisation. Or check out our free self-assessment tool here to take the first steps towards advancing gender equality in your organisation.