Women leaders in the health sector play a crucial role in a nation’s wealth, health, innovation, and ethics, according to a recent review published in the open-access journal BMJ Global Health. Despite their significant positive impact, women leaders are still underutilized, especially in low and middle-income countries. The researchers behind the study advocate for increased investment in women’s leadership to maximize their potential and benefit from their contributions.
Although women make up 70% of the healthcare workforce and 90% of the nursing and midwifery workforce, they only hold 25% of leadership roles. The review highlighted the positive influence of women leaders on various aspects, including financial performance, innovation, ethical engagement, health outcomes, organizational culture, and influence on other women’s careers.
The research identified six areas where women leaders had a positive impact, with most studies reporting statistically significant improvements. Even studies with mixed findings generally leaned towards positive results, especially when factors like education, experience, and collaboration with other women were considered. The researchers suggested that women’s effective transformational leadership behaviors and participative styles could explain their success in leadership roles.
The review emphasized the importance of creating supportive environments for women leaders to thrive and make independent decisions. Dr. Jocalyn Clark, in an editorial linked to the study, highlighted the need for more women in leadership positions within the global health sector. She argued that men’s dominance in leadership roles contradicts scientific evidence and that promoting gender equality is essential for driving transformative change.
In conclusion, investing in women’s leadership in the health sector can lead to improved outcomes for organizations and their clients. It’s crucial to not only focus on individual women but also foster organizational cultures that support and retain women leaders. By advocating for gender equality and diversity, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system.
For more information, the study titled “A scoping review on the impact of women’s global leadership: evidence to inform health leadership” can be found in BMJ Global Health. Change is a collective responsibility, and promoting women’s leadership can drive positive change in biased systems. Let’s work together to empower women leaders and create a more balanced and effective healthcare leadership landscape.
