International Women’s Day 2021: WHO extols Women’s leadership qualities
The World Health Organisation, WHO, says the Covid-19 pandemic has shone light on the effective leadership of women in times of crisis in the world.
The WHO gave the commendation in the message of its Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, on March 8 2021.
She said that the new normal has shone light on the effective leadership of women, particularly as Heads of State, as Senior Officials, Experts and Innovators, as Business Leaders, as 70% of the frontline health workforce (exposed to a heightened risk of infection), and as stewards of families and communities.
According to Dr. Moeti, women have stepped-up to this challenge with courage and honesty, learning and adapting in a rapidly evolving situation.
“At the same time, inequities that disadvantage women have been exacerbated in this pandemic. Stay-at-home orders brought the livelihoods of many African women working as hairdressers or market vendors, for example to a standstill. Lockdowns, coupled with fears of infection, and health workforce shortages, are among the reasons for reports of drops in access to contraception, antenatal care and births in health facilities in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and other countries.
These restrictions, including school closures, also increased the risks of sexual and gender-based violence, teenage pregnancies, and dropping out of school, particularly for girls,” Moetti said.
She also noted that the pandemic will have long-term impacts on the social and economic fabric of the societies, including progress towards gender equality.
“At WHO we are providing guidance and technical support to governments, to ensure the continuous delivery of essential gender-responsive services and to assess the barriers girls and women face in accessing these services.
Thirty-six Member States in the African Region have integrated at least one gender-responsive measure in their national COVID-19 response plans.
We have trained 155 health workers in 22 African countries to support women suffering from gender-based violence and to continue to safely deliver sexual and reproductive health and HIV services in the context of COVID-19. Within WHO, we remain committed to enabling women to advance in their careers and enhance their leadership potential,” She said.
Dr. Moeti explained that over 80 mid-level and senior female staff in the region have participated in leadership training, and it’s currently piloting its expansion to ministries of health.
“In the Republic of the Congo, 34 women leading decentralized primary health institutions participated in the programme.
Last year, we launched the Africa Young Women Champions Initiative in partnership with the UN volunteers programme, to recruit 100 UN volunteers in the African Region.
Despite the immense challenges of the COVID-19 response, already 27 volunteers are on board, 93% are female and over 20 additional will come onboard in the coming months.”
She noted that women now account for 33% of their workforce, up from 30% in 2015.
“We have established a mentoring programme, and a task force to promote a more conducive working environment for female WHO staff in the Region.
Overcoming inequities in our societies will lead to better health, development and prosperity for all people.”
This year’s theme; “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” seeks to recognize the achievements of women, and to take stock of progress towards gender equality.
