International Women’s Day 2026

Did you know that women hold only 25% of leadership positions, despite making up 70% of the health and social care workforce?

This is known as the #XXparadox in Global Health, a term first reported by Women in Global Health Press Release: Report exposes XX Paradox in global health: women shockingly underrepresented in leadership – Women in Global HealthWomen in Global Health

Following #WomenAtImperial week and #InternationalWomensDay, we take the opportunity to reflect and spotlight work being done to narrow this leadership gap and reduce gender inequalities in the health workforce.

💡 Recent examples:

➡️ World Health Organization Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce Initiative – A partnership between the WHO, the Government of France, and Women in Global Health that encourages leadership opportunities, equal pay, safe work environments through research, training, and policy guidance 🔗https://www.who.int/initiatives/beijing25/gender-equal-health-and-care-workforce-initiative

➡️ Africa Women Health Champions Initiative – A collaboration between UN Volunteers and WHO Africa to place young women professionals as health champions across WHO country offices 🔗https://www.unv.org/News/Africa-Women-Health-Champions-improve-health-and-gender-equality

➡️ Lady Amalia Fleming Lectures – A series of talks, hosted here at the #WHOCC, showcasing the work of women in health leadership positions and fostering dialogue about leading in the field. Watch them on our YouTube channel 🔗https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgjLXmTuBZ5feHuhnJZ-H8ZlwIu5RiVli

By investing in women’s leadership – through global action and advocacy; regional leadership development and mentorship; and leadership visibility – public health systems gain and strengthen.

🗓 Stay tuned for details about our next Lady Amalia Fleming Lecture with Professor Dame Lesley Regan, Women’s Health Ambassador for England and Chair of Wellbeing of Women. Professor Dame Lesley Regan appointed new Chair – Wellbeing of Women

Post by Kendall McBride, WHOCC Intern and MPH Student Kendall McBride | LinkedIn