Johns Hopkins Center for Global Women's Health & Gender Equity reposted this
Implementation Researcher and Gender Specialist // Assistant Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health // Co-Director, Gender and Health Summer Institute
Thank you to Dr. Adanna Steinacker for uplifting our work! We are in the analysis phase now and are looking forward to sharing these results and informing investment strategies in women's leadership globally.
Founder & Executive Director | Women’s Health Advocate #SRHR | TEDx Speaker | Board & Executive Committee Member
Women hold up nearly 70% of the global healthcare workforce, yet occupy only about 25% of leadership roles. More than just an oversight, this is a systemic barrier. We know that the absence of women in leadership positions not only stifles diverse perspectives but also leads to policies that fail to adequately address the very issues that disproportionately affect us. However, I am encouraged by the work being done by two remarkable women who are leading efforts to change this narrative: Anna Kalbarczyk, DrPH, MPH and Rosemary Morgan, PhD. At Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, they are spearheading research to examine how women leaders are making an impact in global health, thanks to a significant $440,000 grant from the The Global Financing Facility (GFF) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Their mission is to go beyond just identifying barriers to women’s leadership, and provide critical evidence for investing in women leaders. Their work explores how women in leadership are transforming global health policies, improving healthcare delivery, and addressing inequalities in areas like reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health. Dr. Kalbarczyk, and Dr. Morgan, are not just looking at numbers—they’re examining the stories, the organisational structures, and the systemic shifts needed to create space for more women at the leadership table. Through their research, they are highlighting how policies led by women are more inclusive, leading to better outcomes in areas like immunisation, where mothers often face the challenge of vaccine access or fall prey to misinformation. The grant not only supports this research but will also help close gaps in leadership development, ensuring that women, particularly in underrepresented areas, have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. By generating data that shows the tangible impact of women’s leadership, they are driving a movement that could reshape global health for the better. This is the kind of long-term change we need in global health—one that recognises the value of women in leadership and invests in their success. As someone deeply invested in closing the Gender Health Gap, I find this work to be both incredible and encouraging! By pushing for more women in leadership roles, we are not just making room for more diverse voices, we are actively transforming health systems to be more inclusive, equitable, and effective. The future of global health depends on it! #GenderHealthGap #WomensHealth #WomenInLeadership #GlobalHealthTransformation