The Initiative

The Government of France, the World Health Organization and Women in Global Health are partnering in 2021- the International Year of Health and Care Workers - on the Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce Initiative (GEHCWI). This Initiative aims to increase visibility, dialogue, and commitment to action on gender equity in the health and care workforce alongside the UN Women Generation Equality Campaign to accelerate gender equality and mark the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Gender equity in the health and care sector builds a strong foundation for health systems, universal health coverage (UHC) and global health security. The Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce Initiative (GEHCWI) will convene the international community to implement existing global commitments and agree on practical steps to achieve gender equity in the health and care workforce.

The Initiative aims to drive action under these four pillars:

The Initiative

Increase the proportion of women in health and care leadership roles

Women comprise almost 70% of the global health workforce, yet hold only 25% of senior roles.

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The Initiative

Recognize the value of unpaid health and care work

Women in health contribute 5% to global GDP (US$3 Trillion); of which almost 50% is unrecognized and unpaid.

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The Initiative

Protect women health and care workers from harassment and violence in the workplace

Only 37% countries report measures in place to prevent attacks on health workers.

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The Initiative

Ensure safe and decent working conditions for all health and care workers, everywhere

Women, often the first point of contact in patient care, have had high COVID-19 infection rates.

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Our policy action: The triple gender dividend

By driving change through the 4 pillars of action in this initiative, together these changes will support achieving the “triple gender dividend”, with outcomes across 3 dividends:
The Initiative

2021 Policy Action Timeline

  • January 2021GEHCWI announced by France at 148th WHO Executive Board Meeting

  • February 2021GEHCWI launched by France, WHO and WGH

  • March 2021GEHCWI high-level event at GEF Paris hosted by France, showcasing the initiative and commitments

    Engagement at Commission on Status of Women (CSW)

  • May 2021GEHCWI supported in two World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions.

  • July 2021Official event at the GEF Paris hosted by France announcing first commitments – from governments, international organizations, foundations, NGOs

  • September 2021UNGA – GEHCWI meeting second set commitments announced and next steps

Help us close the
leadership gap in Health

Get involved Stay informed

Help us close the
leadership gap in Health

Get involved Stay informed