NAIROBI, Kenya — February 27, 2024 — IAVI, a not-for-profit scientific research organization, and WomenLift Health, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the advancement of women to senior leadership positions, have signed a memorandum of understanding to: We announced that we have signed a MoU. Paving the way for collaboration to advance women's leadership in global health research. The partnership combines IAVI's expertise in developing vaccines and antibodies against HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and emerging infectious diseases with WomenLift Health's mission to amplify the power and influence of talented women in global health. is.
Despite efforts to increase women's representation in global health research, gender disparities persist, particularly in leadership roles. Global statistics show that women make up just 29.2% of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce, dropping to 12% in STEM leadership and 31% in research and development. Masu. By combining their unique strengths, IAVI and WomenLift Health are addressing these disparities by fostering an environment for the continued growth and leadership of women scientists. The collaboration aims to provide mentorship, training and support opportunities for women leaders in science, increasing the visibility and impact of their work while promoting gender equality in leadership roles.
“Our partnership with Women's Lift Health demonstrates our commitment to diversity and innovation in global health. Empowering women in science not only advances gender equality, but also improves global health. It also enriches the pool of ideas and solutions we bring to the world's most pressing health challenges,” said Mark Feinberg, MD, IAVI President and CEO. .
This collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to gender equality and empowering the next generation of women leaders. This is part of IAVI's ADVANCE (Accelerating the Development of Vaccines and New Technologies to Combat the AIDS Epidemic) initiative, his 10-year cooperation agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. is incorporated into. (Pefar). ADVANCE continues to invest in her African-led HIV prevention science by working closely with a network of independent but interconnected centers of excellence known as Clinical Research Centers. ADVANCE is focused on shifting leadership to African researchers and enabling them to advance research by Africans, for Africa.
“Joining forces with IAVI accelerates our vision of a world where diverse and accomplished leaders drive transformative health outcomes. We’re not just making claims; we’re building a longer table,” added Nora Obudo, MD, MPH, PMD, PgMD, Director of Health Integration and East Africa at Women’s Lift Health.
Prior to signing the Memorandum of Understanding, IAVI and WomenLift Health worked on joint initiatives, including the IAVI Leadership Development Program, among others. Within this program, WomenLift Health played a pivotal role by providing and championing original content on gender transformational leadership training. Additionally, the two organizations continue to collaborate within the Technical Working Group, focused on innovative approaches that improve the capacity of women leaders within IAVI and its partner networks. These programs provide structured opportunities for mentorship, training and support for women in the field, with the aim of closing the gender gap in STEM and increasing women's contributions to research and innovation. is.
As this partnership evolves, its impact on empowering women, strengthening global health research, and developing inclusive leadership will be shared with the global community to drive further action towards equality and health for all. It will encourage you. This partnership aims to make health innovation and policy more reflective and responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
About WomenLift Health
Founded in 2019, WomenLift Health works to advance equity in health leadership through a variety of activities at the individual, organizational, and societal levels. This includes Leadership, which focuses on providing mid-career women with the tools to effectively use their voice, expertise and leadership to make an impact, as well as the support of colleagues, mentors and coaches.・Journey” is included. This includes fostering dialogue and partnerships with senior leaders in healthcare organizations and taking steps to prioritize gender equality. It also includes supporting and organizing global conversations about the importance of women's leadership and amplifying the voices of national and global health leaders, including the biennial Women's Lift Health Global Conference. WomenLift Health envisions a world where diverse and accomplished leaders collectively transform health outcomes. The company operates in North America, South Asia, East and Southern Africa, and continues to explore expansion into other regions.
About IAVI
IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing global unmet health challenges, including HIV and tuberculosis. Its mission is to translate scientific discoveries into public health tools that are affordable and available worldwide. For more information, please visit iavi.org.
IAVI Media Contact
Ethel Makira
Director of Communications, Advocacy and Policy
+254 71 904 3142
Emakila@iavi.org
WomenLift Health Media Inquiry
Liberty Kittoo
Communications Manager, East Africa
LKituu@womenlifthealth.org
