Preventing maternal deaths, giving contraceptive information to teenagers, getting clinical support for women in local communities: These are just some of the things motivating women health workers in Africa who will receive the 2023 Heroines of Health Awards in Kigali, Rwanda on July 19.
This year’s awardees include community health workers, nurses, and doctors who, despite being from 10 different African countries and having different backgrounds and specialities, have a common backstory. They are women health workers who had to break through barriers throughout their careers to deliver the care they needed to give to their communities.
Reading their stories, we were struck by the already difficult situations each of the heroines have faced. But we are more alarmed when we consider their hard-fought wins are at risk in the context of a global pushback on women’s rights.
About the authors
Dr. Choolwe Nkwemu Jacobs
Choolwe Jacobs, Ph.D., is co-founder and country lead for Women in Global Health, Zambia chapter. She is a public health specialist and social epidemiologist with over 15 years of extensive engagement in global health.
Dr. Roopa Dhatt
Dr. Roopa Dhatt is the executive director of Women in Global Health, the founder of Heroines of Health and one of the coordinators of the 100-organization-strong Alliance for Gender Equality and Universal Health Coverage.
