The global health awards will this year recognize 17 inspiring women, including a Ukrainian surgeon working under siege through a devastating war; an HIV-positive mentor mother working unpaid in the informal settlements of Nairobi, and a group of Community Health Workers in India
for the Heroines of Health Awards.
In a press release by Women in Global Health, the Group noted that the award ceremony would be held on the sidelines of the World Health Summit on October 17, putting the spotlight on traditionally unrecognized women who are the backbone of global health systems.
Dr Roopa Dhatt, the Women in Global Health Executive Director, said, “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,”.
From the front lines of the Ukraine war to the remotest parts of Ethiopia, each of the women has 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 the United Nations General Assembly and former Minister of Ecuador.