Recognizing and Valuing Women in the Global Health Workforce

Post Date: 28/09/2024

PLX Academy · Blog

Women make up an impressive 67% of the global health and social care workforce, playing a critical role in delivering essential healthcare services worldwide. It’s estimated that women provide vital health services to around 5 billion people, and their contributions are valued at an astonishing $3 trillion annually. Yet, despite this immense impact, the contributions of women in health remain significantly undervalued, often overlooked, and undercompensated.

The reality is that many women in healthcare find themselves concentrated in roles that are lower in status and pay, and in some cases, unpaid altogether. This clustering into less recognized positions not only diminishes the visibility of their essential work but also perpetuates a systemic imbalance that fails to acknowledge the true worth of women’s contributions to health systems. Such disparities are a barrier to sustainable development, as societies cannot fully thrive without genuinely appreciating and investing in the critical roles women play in maintaining the physical, mental, and social well-being of populations.

For meaningful progress toward sustainable health systems, we must address the equity issues that women face in the healthcare sector. This involves creating environments where women experience decent work conditions, free from all forms of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment. Additionally, the persistent gender pay gap, occupational segregation, and barriers to leadership positions must be actively dismantled. Addressing these challenges is not only a matter of fairness but also a vital step toward ensuring that we have a robust and capable health workforce.

The numbers tell a clear story: there is currently a projected shortage of 15 million health workers needed to achieve Universal Health Care (UHC) goals. If we are to bridge this gap in an equitable and sustainable way, all countries must commit to fostering gender equity within their health systems. By creating policies and practices that promote gender equality, we can build a more resilient health system capable of responding to the evolving needs of populations around the world.

Moreover, embracing gender-transformative health and social care policies is crucial for achieving gender equality on a global scale. These policies not only uplift women in healthcare but also ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, can contribute to and benefit from resilient and equitable health systems. In doing so, we create a foundation where women’s contributions are recognized, valued, and rewarded, leading to healthier communities and a more inclusive, sustainable future for all.

Ultimately, valuing women’s work is not just about recognizing what they already do—it’s about investing in their potential to lead, innovate, and shape the future of health and social care. If we are to build a truly equitable health system that serves everyone, it’s time we acknowledge, celebrate, and compensate the invaluable contributions of women across the globe.