•The meeting took place on Wednesday. The meeting is jointly held and hosted by the Government of Estonia.
•Former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark said there is need for urgent and transformative action to reverse worrying trends.
Women leaders are currently holding a virtual dialogue on solutions to increase women’s representation and participation in leadership roles.
They also seek to reduce gender gaps across every aspect of society.
The meeting took place on Wednesday. The meeting is jointly held and hosted by the Government of Estonia.
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark said there is need for urgent and transformative action to reverse worrying trends.
"...and make women have both seats and voice at decision-making tables," she said.
She said attitudes towards gender roles deteriorated further amid Covid-19.
"Even before the pandemic gender inequity was hard wired into the global health workforce, with women clustered into lower status sectors and jobs, marginalised in leadership and frequently subject to violence and harassment," she said.
Global Managing Director, Women in Global Health Magda Robalo said women hold only 25 percent of decision-making roles in health, and women from the Global South are particularly marginalised.
"Stronger partnerships with communities are also needed to enhance and entrench gender equality into societal structures," she said.
UN Secretary-General’s Global Advocate for Every Woman Every Child Kersti Kaljulaid said People, communities and economies will thrive when we raise up our women and girls.
"When we acknowledge the contributions of women; when we pay women fairly for the work that they do; when we show the value and inherent necessity of women for society,” she said.
Women’s political leadership for health is organised by Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Women in Global Health, Universal Health Coverage 2030 and Global Health 50/50.