About Us
Women in Global Health (WGH) is working towards a world that values women as leaders in health. At the heart of this movement are country Chapters, linking global advocacy with local experience and establishing a network to strengthen global health.
Founded in January 2022, WGH Philippines plans to focus on three activities (Research, Mentorship, and Advocacy) and instill a learning process in this work. The emphasis and thematic focus could evolve as we improve our understanding of Filipino women’s participation in public health.
WGH Philippines is hosted by the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes (AIHO).
Key Accomplishments
WGH-Ph was formally launched during the World Health Worker Week on 4-8 April 2022.
WGH-Ph member Lynnell Alexie Ong was chosen as one of WGH’s delegates to the 75th World Health Assembly held on 22-28 May 2022.
WGH-Ph’s Martha de la Paz provided a lecture on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression on 14 June 2022. This lecture was co-sponsored by WGH-Ph and hosted by AIHO, with the aim to be better allies to the LGBTQIA+ community.
The country chapter held its 1st Chapter Networking Activity on 10 September 2022.
WGH-Ph’s Martha de la Paz represented the country chapter in the historic WGH Peer to Peer Event in Nairobi, Kenya held last 24-28 September 2022.
Co-Convener Kim Sales was part of WGH's in-person delegation to the 76th World Health Assembly
Co-Convener Katherine Ann Reyes was selected as a Harvard LEAD Fellow for the 2023-2024 cohort.
Represented Women in Global Health at the 74th WHO WPRO Regional Committee Meeting and delivered a statement on health security.
WGH Microgrant Activities
WGH Philippines received a microgrant award from WGH and aims to implement the following activities from November 2022 to October 2023:
Understand
Scoping review to generate local evidence in the experience of Filipino women in public health
Policy review to identify policy provisions for Filipino women working in the health sector
Exploratory research to document the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, and trans women in public health in the Philippines
Profile women leaders in the public health sector to create awareness on the importance of women’s leadership
Networking
Networking events for identified and interested stakeholders
Meetings with government agencies and civil society organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership
Strengthen
Strategic planning to define the chapter’s goals and milestones
Know a Filipino woman leader in health?
We are accepting submissions for Filipino women who have had an impact on the Philippine health sector at the national or local level. Submit names here.
Women in Global Health: Defying Backlash and Cultivating Leadership for Gender-Responsive Health Systems
The panel moderated by Women in Global Healthat WomenLift Health Global Conference brought together a dynamic group of women leaders representing our network of 57 Country Chapters across 51 countries. Moderated by Dr. Shabnum Sarfaz, WGH Deputy Executive Director, with speakers from across our movement: Dr Choolwe Jacobs from WGH Zambia, Sapna Kedia from WGH India, Prof Rhoda Wanyenze from WGH Uganda, Lanice Williams from WGH US DC Chapter and Maureen Luba from WGH Malawi. They explored the impact of escalating anti-rights backlash against women’s rights; navigated the role of women health workers amidst the evolving health landscape; outlined why women’s leadership is critical to establishing gender-responsive health systems and towards achieving Universal Health Coverage; and highlighted the policy initiatives needed to promote gender equity in health leadership.
WGH presents Her Story Report Findings at the WHO Technical Consultation
"Too often the sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) experienced by women in the health sector is unreported, unrecorded, and therefore not sanctioned."
Dr. Roopa Dhatt presented the findings of WGH's Her Story Report: Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment of Women Health Workers during the World Health Organization technical consultation on strengthening evidence-informed decision-making for prevention and response to sexual misconduct.
Although SEAH of health workers appears to be universal, legal frameworks, cultures, and socio-economic contexts vary widely. The #HealthToo report highlights the critical points that should be addressed in all contexts."
Women in Global Health Delegation to #CSW68
The WGH delegation engaged in important discussions to advance gender equality in health at the 68th Commission on the Status of Women. Our delegation participated in the World Health Organization Fair share for health and care report launch--- as 6 million women work underpaid and unpaid in core health systems roles, it is high time to value their role in delivering health for all.
Dr. Roopa Dhatt spoke to The World Bank Vice President Mamta Murthi on our joint priorities of ending gender-based violence and boosting women’s economic opportunities and leadership in health. Dr. Dhatt also met with U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Dr. Geeta Rao Gupta and covered the importance of increasing women’s leadership roles in health organizations and decision-making processes.
Towards Gender-Responsive Health Systems for Universal Health Coverage: Health for women, girls and for all
UHC2030, the Alliance for Gender Equality and UHC, and the Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health, with support from WGH as a co-convenor of the Alliance for Gender Equality and UHC, are jointly calling for countries to take a gender-responsive approach to achieve UHC. During this virtual side event during the 68th Commission on the Status of Women, we discussed ways to enhance understanding on the importance of gender-responsive health systems.
Women Community Health Workers: From Volunteers to Careers
WGH and the Community Health Impact Coalition hosted a virtual event at the NGO Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) Forum to highlight the plight of women CHWs in response to the CSW68’s priority theme: "Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective". The event focused on women CHWs' leadership and empowerment, their career progression prospects, the importance of fair compensation and recognition, and the actions needed by those working both in the health and gender equality sectors to bring about change.
Ensuring fair compensation for female health workers ‘starts with political commitment’: Dr. Roopa Dhatt
In a two-part interview, WGH Executive Director Dr. Roopa Dhatt discusses how global health institutions can improve gender equity in leadership and address the fact that millions of female health workers aren’t being paid for their work. Dr. Dhatt speaks about how gender inequality in global health leadership can be addressed and how men can be real allies to women in the sector.
World Health Worker Week: Calling for gender and economic justice for women Community Health Workers
Around the globe, community health workers (CHWs), the majority of whom are women, deliver essential primary care to over a billion people in low- and middle-income countries. They are trusted in their communities, often the first point of contact for health concerns, and sometimes the only bridge with the health system. Yet they lack salaries, professional skills, supervision, and supplies they need to succeed.
This World Health Worker Week, WGH calls for gender and economic justice for women CHWs. By professionalizing their roles, we empower women, strengthen local health systems, and ultimately improve health outcomes for all. When CHWs have the training, supervision, and resources they deserve, they can reach their full potential, delivering quality care and promoting healthier communities.
Call for Participation: Asia and the Pacific Gender and Politics Training 2024
The Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development is inviting women activists and leaders aspiring for political positions to apply for the ""Asia and the Pacific Gender and Politics Training 2024 for Building Transformative Leadership of Grassroots Women Leaders."" The training aims to strengthen women’s transformative leadership to generate systemic change and advance participatory democracy, women’s human rights and Development Justice. The training will be conducted from 23-27 July 2024 (excluding travel) and the exact location/venue of the training will be notified to the selected participants upon selection.
Deadline for applications: 15 April 2024
Raising hope: Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, the Filipina national scientist saving and protecting lives through genetic research
Vogue Philippines celebrates International Women’s Day through “Raising Hope,” in a call for nominations of inspiring women. Discover the story of Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, a Filipina National Scientist saving lives and paving the way for next-generation geneticists.
Role of male allies in forging gender equity in health leadership
The path to gender equality has been fraught with unexpected obstacles. The advancements once applauded are now facing setbacks — notably from the COVID-19 pandemic that unequally burdened women and girls, interrupting their educational achievements and economic contributions. To truly advance gender equity in health leadership, we must look critically at how men, who often hold the majority of leadership roles, can become active participants in this transformation.
Why we must never repeat the mistakes of a 'gender-blind' COVID response
Pandemics are bad for women’s health – but they are also bad for their labour rights, suggests research from Matahari Global Solutions and the People’s Vaccine Alliance. Harry Bignell and Abha Jeurkar set out key gendered impacts of the pandemic – including the impact on trans and non-binary people – and call for pressure on global leaders to make sure we avoid them in future.
State of World Population Report 2024
The United Nations Populations Fund recently released the State of World Population 2024, entittled Interwomen Lives, Threads of Hope. This report contains many examples of programmes and efforts that have expanded access to, and uptake of, quality care, usually with interventions tailored by and for those most in need.
Why is period shame still taking lives of first-time menstruators in India?
Dr. Shivangi Sharma, a medical doctor and a public health researcher from WGH India wrote about the prevalence of period shame in India, when a teen in Mumbai, India recently died by suicide upon having her first period. She provides strong solutions and recommendations in the article.
Image: Vibhushita Singh/FIT
It’s all connected: gender justice for planetary health – including at national and local level
Deepika Saluja, Chair of WGH India, calls for a more inclusive approach to environmental health policies. Highlighting how gender-blind strategies exacerbate inequalities, the article argues for the integration of gender perspectives in planetary health. It stresses the importance of accountability and diverse leadership in creating effective and equitable health responses.