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International Women’s Day, 8 March: Women in heath and care – achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 World

March 8, 2021

Today is International Women’s Day with this year’s theme being Choose to Challenge.

COVID-19 has magnified the large disparity not only in social class but also gender. A profound shock to our societies and economies, the COVID-19 pandemic underscores society’s reliance on women both on the front line and at home, while simultaneously exposing structural inequalities across every sphere, from health to the economy, security to social protection. In times of crisis, when resources are strained and institutional capacity is limited, women and girls face disproportionate impacts with far reaching consequences that are only further amplified in contexts of fragility, conflict, and emergencies. Hard-fought gains for women’s rights are also under threat. Responding to the pandemic is not just about rectifying long-standing inequalities, but also about building a resilient world in the interest of everyone with women at the centre of recovery.

A few facts:

  • 70 per cent of the health workforce are females and yet women are still paid less and hold fewer leadership positions.
  • Since the pandemic violence against women especially domestic violence has intensified – exacerbating factors include isolation with abusers, living in cramped conditions, security, health and money worries, movement restrictions and deserted spaces.
  • Women are more vulnerable to COVID-19 economic effects of gender inequality due to existing gender inequalities.

Digital conference:

Sarb Clare and Sarah Faloon will be guest speakers at the Health and Care Women’s Leaders Network Conference where they will be talking about understanding the problem of harassment and discrimination for women in the workforce, sharing experiences and discussing strategies for dealing with inappropriate behaviour.

For further details including a full itinerary and to join this event please click here.

Podcast:

A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. Sarb Clare and her team are launching a podcast “Women Empowering Women” which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or can be accessed by clicking here. You can also follow them on Twitter by clicking here.

In the first episode of the podcast they will chat with prominent advocate for gender equality in medicine, consultant intensivist and bonafide Twitter superstar Dr Rosie Baruah. They will discuss the challenges faced as a woman in ICM, ambition, failure and benevolent sexism. The discussion will delve into gender bias and deconstruct the differences in language used when offering feedback to women compared with men.

We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. Women Empower Women and empowered women empower women! From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.