Tackling Inequalities in Global Women’s Health

International Women’s Day is marked each year on 8 March and is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also represents a chance to raise awareness of issues of gender inequity and fight for a more equal future.

On 7 March, in celebration of International Women’s Day 2023 we invited 2022 Rising Star Award winner Kizanne James-McCarthy (MSc Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care, 2018) to speak to our community about her amazing work in improving access to healthcare for women around the world.

The Rising Star Award is one of the University’s Outstanding Alumni Awards and is presented to a member of our alumni community who has achieved remarkable success within a short time of graduating from Southampton.

Tying into the 2023 theme of #EmbraceEquity, Kizanne’s talk focused on the global inequalities in women’s healthcare, and the obstacles to providing the best care for all women around the world.

Kizanne spoke with Professor Julie Cullen, Professorial Fellow in Health Education and Leadership, about her Gates Institute funded work in Trinidad and Tobago, what motivated her to work in healthcare, and the ways that her time at Southampton impacted her future career.

Kizanne spoke about how addressing structural and systemic inequalities is key to improving healthcare around the world and shared some of the challenges she has faced as a woman working in an international healthcare setting. She also shared some words of advice for current students and other members of our alumni community as they forge their own path in the world.

Speaking at the event, Kizanne said: “Many experiences have had an impact on me and concreted my desire to work in reproductive and sexual health… I became very interested in public health, community health and eventually global women’s health, thinking about how to break down barriers and address the realities that [women around the world] are experiencing. Health is more than just the absence of disease – it’s whole person wellbeing.”

For those who were unable to join us for the live event, the conversation was recorded and can be viewed online here.