Gender Equity in the Health and Care Workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of global health security and the contribution made by health and care workers. The pandemic struck when the world was facing a significant shortage of health and care workers. It is estimated that an additional 18 million are needed to achieve universal health coverage (UHC), primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Tragically, COVID-19 has caused health and care worker deaths, infection, exhaustion, mental trauma and there are early reports of women leaving the profession. The pandemic is expected to increase the global shortage of health and care workers and may well increase migration of trained health workers from low-and middle-income countries.

In 2021, designated as the Year of Health and Care Workers by the World Health Assembly, the Government of France, World Health Organization and Women in Global Health partnered on the Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce Initiative (#GenderEqualHCW). Gender equity in the health and care sector builds a strong foundation for health systems, universal health coverage (UHC) and global health security.

The event will host a panel of global health leaders from around the world including:

• H.E. Olivier Véran, Minister of Solidarity and Health, France
• H.E. Magda Robalo, High Commissioner for COVID-19, Republic of Guinea Bissau
• Eric Fleutelot, L’Initiative, French Government Operator
• Sultana Afdhal, CEO, WISH Foundation Qatar
• Dr Raj Panjabi, US Global Malaria Coordinator and Founder Last Mile Health
• Johanna Riha, Research Fellow in the Gender and Health Hub, United Nations University
• Dr Roopa Dhatt, Executive Director, Women in Global Health