Group advocates increased opportunities for women in medical field

The Founder and Convener, Global African Women in Medicine (GAWIM) Summit, Dr Olajumoke Ladapo-Osinuga has called for more opportunities to provide mentorship, networking and inspiration for women in medical field. She made the call in a statement on Tuesday, ahead of the group’s forthcoming summit slated for March 8 in Lagos.

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She stated that GAWIM was envisioned in 2018 to provide supportive community where early and mid-career ambitious and high achieving female doctors could be mentored and supported. According to her, such opportunities will help female doctors to overcome barriers to personal growth.

She said, “we are able to achieve supportive community through year-round activities, specifically designed to empower next generation of Global Africa female doctors.

“Many doctors, though global in their locations of practice, are connected to Africa in passion and heart. This aligns with SDGs 3, 5, 8, and 10, which emphasise good health and well-being, gender equality and women’s empowerment, inclusive and decent work opportunities and reduced inequalities within and across countries by eliminating discriminatory practices based on social determinants like age or migration status. This vision birthed the GAWIM Summit.”

According to her, the theme of the 2025 GAWIM Summit — “Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Medicine” — will underscore the importance of empowering future generation of African women to lead globally.

Ladapo-Osinuga said the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Prof. Olatunji Bello and Dr Funmi Ige, the President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Lagos State and other prominent speakers would be in attendance.

She explained that the summit would also be in commemoration of the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), underscoring the importance of empowering future generation of African women to lead globally.

The summit would also celebrate remarkable achievements of women in the medical field, she added.

NAN/Wumi