Market Insights – Gender Diversity For More Equitable, Healthier Future

The pandemic has left no doubt as to the centrality of health and well-being to our societies and economies. As the global health emergency persists, all countries have experienced the fragility in their health systems and the importance of having adaptive systems with a deep and qualified health workforce. Events since 2020 have demonstrated that we are as strong as the weakest links in our health infrastructure, supply chains and service delivery.

The World Health Organisation (“WHO”) has identified climate change as the biggest health threat facing humanity, expected to have effects across social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. They expect areas with weak health infrastructure will be the least able to cope and respond. Now is the time to adapt and harness lessons from the pandemic while there is room for mitigation and adaptation.

Women are central actors in the health system: they represent 70% of the health workforce, experience greater barriers to accessing effective care and utilise their consumer power to invest in the health and well-being of their families. Empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps in the workforce are key levers for achieving global goals for health and well-being.