Mná le Chéile’s Post

We hear this from the women we support so often, where they use alcohol or other drugs, and go to a medical professional with a physical or mental health issues, they so often report not feeling heard, feeling the substance use is the primary focus. For example, imagine the frustration when you're feeling what you think might be menopause symptoms only to be told 'stop drinking'. This simplistic view needs to change. Listen! A woman knows her body. And if it was that easy to stop drinking or using other substances, we'd have no such thing as dependency. #listen #supportwomen #traumainformed #recoveryispossible

The need to listen, and collaborate is huge. Co-production is integral here

🌟 This #InternationalWomensDay, let's unite to "Inspire Inclusion" by acknowledging the unique challenges faced by women with chronic pain—a group too often overlooked. Chronic Pain Ireland advocates for all who experience chronic pain however women remain underrepresented in healthcare, reflecting broader issues of equity and inclusion. ♀ Chronic pain in women isn't just a health issue; it's a matter of gender equity, affecting their daily lives, employment, and access to treatment. Studies show women's pain reports are often dismissed, leading to a care gap. 💡"Inspire Inclusion" means ensuring emotional support, healthcare equity, and recognizing the invisible battles women face. It's a call to educate, advocate for inclusive policies, and celebrate the resilience of women living with chronic pain. Together, we can forge a more inclusive world where every woman's health and voice is taken seriously. 🌸 This #InternationalWomensDay2024, let's stand with women in pain, push for change, and celebrate their strength. #InspireInclusion #ChronicPainAwareness #WomenInPain #EquityAndHealth

Reflecting on my experience of presenting at this impactful side event that was organized at the margins of the United Nations Civil Society Conference (#2024UNCSC) held in #Nairobi from May 10-11. Hosted by Women in Global Health, AMREF Health Africa, and Fòs Feminista, this event underscored the critical need for gender-responsive health systems. In my opening presentation, I delved into critical topics that underscore the urgency of advancing gender-responsive health systems and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (#SRHR) within the framework of universal health coverage (#UHC) I was joined by a stellar line of speakers - margaret odera, Dr Elise Diendere, Mar Lucas Gómez, Carol Ajema, PhD and Shivangi Shankar who contributed enlightening insights! The sobering reality is that we are off track to achieve UHC by 2030, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shockingly, 4.5 billion people lack coverage for essential health services, and approximately 2 billion people face financial hardship due to health expenses. Primary healthcare-driven UHC interventions have the potential to save millions of lives, but gender disparities persist and must be addressed. Despite the critical role of gender in health, UHC processes remain gender-blind, with inadequate commitment to enhancing women's representation in health and political leadership. Women, who constitute 67% of the global health workforce, often face lower-status roles and reduced pay, highlighting persistent gender inequities within health systems. The forthcoming Summit of the Future presents an opportunity to rectify these disparities and embed gender-responsive UHC within global health agendas. We must advocate for inclusive health policies that prioritize women's and marginalized groups' health needs, empower gender-inclusive health systems, and bridge existing gaps in health and gender equality. Together, we must strive for the transformative change and advocate for a future where health truly knows no gender @UNDGC_CSO

Women comprise 70% of the health workforce, yet only 35% of the World Health Organization 154th Executive Board are women. Despite the progress made in comparison to previous years, it is not enough! 👩⚕️ We have to ensure gender parity for women health workers in governance and decision-making bodies at all levels. As the progress towards #GenderEqual WHO Executive Board is not consistent across the regions, let's make sure that women in global health have a seat at the decision-making table no matter where they come from! 🌎 Gender parity in decision-making bodies is crucial to ensure women's perspectives, expertise & talent contribute to global health governance. Join Women In Global Health in #EB154 advocacy this week! #WomenInGH

🌟 International Women's Day is a reminder that women deserve quality health care at every stage of life. Let's work together to dismantle barriers and ensure equitable access for aging women. #WomensHealth #AgeEquity #IWD2024 #InternationalWomensDay2024

Let's talk about the #GenderGap in healthcare. Join us for a panel discussion on how these disparities impact us, why they exist, and how we can work together to create a more equitable healthcare system for all. Stay tuned for more details! #Healthcare #HealthEquity

In light of tomorrow being Women’s Equality Day… 

 Let’s discuss the chronic illness-related challenges many women deal with. ❤️🩹 Women are more likely to suffer from conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases compared to men, often facing dismissal and misdiagnosis. Want to be a better advocate for your female loved ones? Recognize their resilience by telling them how strong they are. Create opportunities for them to safely open up about their struggles. Understand their challenges by educating yourself with reputable online resources. Let’s use Women’s Equality Day to lift up our mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends who need it most. #WomensEqualityDay #WomenSupportingWomen #ChronicIllnessWarrior #InvisibleIllness #mecfsawareness

The American Heart Association states the factors contributing to poor maternal #health outcomes in the United States include #social determinants of health (SDOH) and structural #racism, which creates inequities in access and quality of care. Read more of this article at https://lnkd.in/epWVYYpY, Target 3.1 under the 2021 section of North America. @girlsalliance Women for Women International Equality Now

Women: The Struggle of Being Heard in a Fragmented System In the image you will read words from women who attended our Change Event in March. Navigating systems can be challenging for anyone, but for many women, it often feels like an uphill battle. Despite the growing awareness of gender disparities, women frequently find themselves being ignored, dismissed, and bounced around from service to service. One of the most significant challenges women face is the fragmentation of services. Instead of receiving comprehensive care, many women are bounced from one service to another, each focusing on their own area of expertise without considering the person as a whole. This can result in conflicting diagnoses, inconsistent treatment plans, and a lack of continuity in care. Moreover, the emotional toll of not being heard or believed can be profound. Many women report feeling frustrated, anxious, and even depressed due to their experiences with the healthcare system. So, what have we heard from women? What do women say they want? The Need for Change! Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach: Education and Training: Service providers must receive training to recognise and address gender biases. This includes understanding how women’s symptoms may present differently and the importance of listening to and validating their experiences. Integrated Care Models: Developing integrated care models that facilitate communication and coordination among different services can help ensure that women receive comprehensive and consistent care. Advocacy: Empowering women to advocate for themselves and providing them with the resources and support they need to navigate systems can help them obtain the care they deserve. Research and Policy: Continued research into women’s health issues and the development of policies that promote gender equity are essential for long-term change #helpnotharm #mnálechéile #supportingwomen #inclusion #traumaaware #traumainformed