Gender equality rankings challenge global health sector - Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) calls for strong response

Gender equality rankings challenge global health sector - Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) calls for strong response


Geneva, 30 March 2022 - 

The Global Health 50/50 Gender and Health Index 2022, a barometer of institutional performance around gender and governance is launched today. 
 
The Gender and Health Index assesses the gender-related policies and practices of 200 global organisations that aim to promote health and/or influence global health agendas and policy. For the first time, the research has covered the make-up of organisations’ boards. Strikingly, of the 2,000 board seats analysed, only 17 are held by women from low-income countries.
 
GAIN, which is a Swiss-based Foundation which improves access to safe and nutritious diets, especially the most vulnerable called for stronger action to address gender inequality in leadership across the sector.
 
"In our area, we know that women disproportionately bear the consequences of food insecurity and malnutrition. At the same time, they are actually leaders in producing and delivering food – in the fields, in markets and within households. Global Health 50/50 provides a mirror for GAIN on how seriously we and our wider sector take supporting women’s leadership in improving healthy diets, starting with ourselves" commented Lawrence Haddad, GAIN Executive Director. "We are pleased to continue to be improving against the 50/50 criteria, but there is still work to do in how we ourselves perform, and crucially what that means for how we translate that into supporting women leaders within programmes and partnerships on the ground in Africa and Asia" he added.
 
The report found that GAIN, which tackles the human suffering caused by malnutrition, is a ‘very high performer’, in the top 10% of rated organisations and a 'consistently high scorer', showing  long-term commitment to diversity.

Global Health 50/50 provides a mirror for GAIN on how seriously we and our wider sector take supporting women’s leadership in improving healthy diets, starting with ourselves.

Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, GAIN

"Congratulations to GAIN on their strong performance in the 2022 Global Health 50/50 Report. Through commitment, learning and action GAIN showcases that progress towards gender equality and the more equitable sharing of power and opportunity in global health is possible in the collective effort to deliver health for all." Commented Professor Sarah Hawkes, one of two Global Health 50/50 directors
 
"This annual gender report provides a very good focus, giving us all a visceral reminder of why we’re here, what problems we are addressing and, most importantly, who we are seeking to help." Haddad said. "It is exciting to see many organisations making strides, but there are clearly very big gaps to be addressed across global health. Everyone, even those scoring well, needs to do more" 
 
The Global Health 50/50 Gender and Health Index will be published on 1 April 2022 at 1330 BST.

It is exciting to see many organisations making strides, but there are clearly very big gaps to be addressed across global health. Everyone, even those scoring well, needs to do more.

Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director, GAIN