WHO Champions Gender Equality for Women in Health
On March 8, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) will celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This year’s focus aligns with WHO’s commitment to advancing gender equality within the health sector across the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Despite women making up about 70% of the global health workforce, they face significant challenges, including pay disparities and limited leadership opportunities.
Gender Disparities in Health Employment
Women play a vital role in the health and social services workforce, yet a recent report highlights troubling disparities in their employment conditions. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, women earn an average of 28% less than their male colleagues. Furthermore, they are less likely to secure full-time positions, which limits their career advancement and financial stability. This inequity persists despite women’s substantial contributions to health service delivery, leadership, and policy development.
The WHO emphasizes the need to address these systemic barriers to gender equality. As the global community recognizes the achievements of women, it is crucial to confront the ongoing challenges they face, such as unequal pay and obstacles to full-time employment. The organization advocates for transformative policies that can create a more equitable and resilient health workforce, ensuring that women are supported and empowered in their roles.
WHO’s Initiative for a Resilient Health Workforce
This year, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean is aligning its International Women’s Day activities with a flagship initiative aimed at investing in a resilient and sustainable health workforce. The initiative seeks to underscore the essential role of women in maintaining and enhancing health services. By advocating for strategies that support women in all settings, WHO aims to foster an environment where gender equality is prioritized.
The regional campaign will focus on several key objectives: increasing awareness and advocacy for gender equality, strengthening commitments from stakeholders to support women in health, enhancing networking among women health professionals, and identifying policy recommendations to promote women’s leadership in the health sector. These efforts are designed to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in health.
Webinar to Amplify Women’s Voices
To further these goals, WHO is organizing a webinar featuring experts and officials from various countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This event aims to amplify the voices of women leaders in health and foster regional dialogue on gender-responsive health workforce programs. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the webinar will help identify effective strategies for investing in women’s empowerment and leadership within the health sector.
As International Women’s Day approaches, the WHO’s commitment to gender equality remains steadfast. By addressing the challenges faced by women in health, the organization aims to build a more resilient and equitable health workforce for the future.
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