The World Health Organization Just Picked Its New Leaders. Most of Them Are Women

The World Health Organization announced its new senior leadership team Tuesday, and more than 60% of the appointees are women. “The team represents 14 countries, including all WHO regions, and is more than 60% women, reflecting my deep-held belief that we need top talent, gender equity and a geographically diverse set of perspectives to fulfill our mission to keep the world safe,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. The five men selected to lead the agency are Dr. Peter Salama, Dr. Bernhard Schwartländer, Dr. Ranieri Guerra, Dr. Ren Minghui, and Stewart Simonson. WHO is the international public health agency of the United Nations responsible for combating infectious diseases, eliminating hunger, and promoting global development. The agency’s proclivity for women’s empowerment is particularly significant, as study after study show that gender diversity in leadership is necessary to improve global health policy. Evidence suggests women and children bear a disproportionate burden from sickness and death due to lack of access to care, finance and education. Here’s a look at the line-up of women that will soon be leading the way in global health strategies: Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Director-General of Programs A pediatrician from India, Dr. Swaminathan is widely renowned for her work with HIV and tuberculosis. She is currently the director general of Indian Council of Medical Research whose work in research a...
Source: TIME.com: Top Science and Health Stories - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized onetime United Nations women's empowerment Source Type: news