Sapna Kedia
WGH India
Sapna Kedia works as an Assistant Director- Gender and Social Development at the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), Asia Office. At ICRW, Sapna leads and supports research and programs on the issues of men and masculinities, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender, governance and public policy. She is currently leading a study on Women in Leadership in the Health Sector in India. She is also a founding member of the Women in Global Health (WGH), India Chapter and works in collaboration with other chapters across the globe. She serves as a member on the Global Steering Committee of WGH.
All Sessions by Sapna Kedia
Moving from monitoring to accountability: Upholding Rights & Commitments of Global Health 50/50
Led by Global Health 50/50.
For the past 7 years, GH5050 has annually published evidence on equality and diversity in the global health sector. Drawing on principles of accountability (i.e. independence and transparency) and rooted in human rights frames, we have examined issues ranging from Board diversity to organisational policies to realise sexual and reproductive health and rights across the (employee) lifecourse in 200 organisations that exist in the global health ecosystem. Data trends over time have shown that commitments to equality have increased, but positive changes across many outcome variables (e.g. equitable leadership) remain elusive.
Moderator:
Radhika Uppal, Technical Specialist - Gender & Development, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), India
Speakers
1. Sarah Hawkes, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Global Health 50/50
2. Sapna Kedia, Assistant Director, Gender and Social Development, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), India
3. Dr.Sylvia Muyingo, Africa Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC), Kenya
Women in Global Health: Defying Backlash and Cultivating Leadership for Gender-Responsive Health Systems
Led by: Women in Global Health.
Women in Global Health (WGH) was the first organization to campaign for gender equality in health leadership. Since launching its movement in 2015, its global advocacy is supported today by 57 country chapters across 51 countries. Collectively they have garnered considerable political awareness and momentum towards advancing gender equity in women’s leadership through gender transformative leadership.
UHC is expected to be a game changer for women’s health rights but the progress in many countries is threatened by a growing global backlash against the rights of women and girls and against wider gender equality Gender-responsive health policies and plans can address the gendered health inequities ensuring that they are tailored to the needs of a diverse population. However, this is possible only if there is an inclusive engagement and effective participation of women in policy and decision-making processes in the health sector as it allows for harnessing the diverse perspectives, expertise and lived experiences. Women’s work – paid and unpaid – forms the essential foundation for health, well-being, and delivery of health systems. Despite constituting 70% of the overall global healthcare workforce, women are vastly underrepresented i.e. only 25% in top leadership positions.
The panel moderated by Dr Shabnum Sarfraz, Deputy Executive Director WGH will bring together a dynamic group of women leaders from Nigeria, Kenya, India, Zimbabwe and US Country Chapters. They will together examine gendered health inequalities; explore the impact of escalating anti-rights backlash against women’s rights; navigate the role of women health workers amidst the evolving health landscape; outline why women’s leadership is critical to establishing gender-responsive health systems and towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC); identify the barriers and enablers to women’s advancement in the health sector and highlight the policy initiatives needed to promote gender equity in health leadership.
Moderator: Dr. Shabnum Sarfraz, Global Director, Gender and Health/ Deputy Executive Director, Women in Global Health
Panelists:
1. Ms. Lanice Williams, Independent Consultant, Chair, Women in Global Health Washington, DC Chapter
2. Dr. Choolwe Jacobs WGH Zambia
3. Sapna Kedia, WGH India
4. Ruth Ngechu, WGH Kenya
5. Prof Rhoda Wanyenze, WGH Uganda