2018 marked two major anniversaries for women’s equality. In 1868, nine women were admitted to the University of London to enrol for a ‘special examination’ course, giving women in Britain access to university education for the first time. In 1918, the Representation of the People Act was passed in the UK, for the first time giving the right to vote to women over the age of 30 and "of property".
150 years since women were first admitted to higher education in Britain, and on the centenary of UK women's suffrage, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (a constituent college of the University of London) proudly hosted the second annual Women Leaders in Global Health Conference on 8-9 November 2018.
Women are vital to the advancement of global health, making up 75% of the healthcare workforce, yet they occupy fewer than 25% of influential leadership roles. In the run-up to the conference, we celebrated women in global and public health. Working with our partners, we continue to advance a collective new vision for global health leadership and building opportunities for women to progress in all forms of leadership – from local communities to classrooms, from science to politics.
The highlight of the year was been the Women Leaders in Global Health Conference, led by Professor Heidi Larson. With over 900 participants of 80+ nationalities and coming from 70+ countries of residence, the conference built on 2017's successful inaugural event at Stanford University, USA. The conference highlighted emerging and established women leaders in global health, put a cultural and gender lens on leadership and health issues, provided training and mentorship, and looked at where we need to go next to ensure meaningful change. You can still join the conversation at #WLGH18 and we look forward to seeing you for the 2019 conference in Rwanda!
