Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerating Action for Women’s Equality

International Women’s Day (IWD) is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a global movement, a time for recognition, and a supporting call for gender equality.

On March 8th, 2025, the world will unite under the theme “Accelerate Action,” highlighting the pressing need to drive progress in women’s rights, equality, and representation. This day pays tribute to the incredible contributions of women across all sectors, especially in healthcare, where female professionals form the backbone of communities worldwide.

Recognising Women in Healthcare and Education

At iheed, we take immense pride in women’s vital roles in shaping the future of healthcare. Our graduates and faculty demonstrate outstanding dedication and excellence in the medical field, with women making up 60% of our programme graduates and 60% of our faculty.

Across the healthcare sector, women, including doctors, nurses, midwives, educators, researchers, and caregivers, continue to make significant contributions that enhance global health. Their unwavering dedication to patient care, medical research, and community health improves the world.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO):

- Women account for 67% of the global health and social care workforce.

- Women are estimated to provide essential health services to around 5 billion people worldwide.

- The financial value of women’s contributions to health systems is estimated to exceed US$3 trillion annually.

Despite their significant contributions, women’s work in healthcare remains undervalued and under-compensated. Many hold lower-paid, lower-status positions, and much of their work remains unpaid.

While women make up 70% of the health workforce, only 25% hold senior leadership positions, which highlights the persistent gender disparity in decision-making roles.

Accelerating Action for Equality

The “Accelerate Action” theme is a powerful reminder that change must be immediate and impactful. We cannot afford to wait for incremental progress; concrete steps are needed to:

- Ensure equal opportunities for women in leadership, research, and decision-making roles in healthcare.

- Advocate for mentorship, training, and educational programs that empower women to advance in their careers.

- Demand policies that promote equal pay, flexible working conditions, and a safe, harassment-free environment.

- Highlight and celebrate female pioneers in healthcare whose innovations and dedication have transformed the industry.

Celebrate, Support, and Uplift

At iheed, we stand in solidarity with all women in healthcare and beyond, championing successes and inspiring a more equitable future. We also take this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the fantastic and hardworking women at iheed, whose contributions drive excellence in medical education and innovation.

This International Women’s Day, let’s come together to celebrate, support, and uplift the incredible women around us. Their strength, dedication, and hard work make a real difference every day, and it’s time we give them the recognition and opportunities they rightfully deserve.