Girls in the Future One Health Workforce: Promoting Gender Equality in the Health Systems of Africa and Southeast Asia

The One Health Workforce project and networks support girls as part of the future health workforce not only on the International Day of the Girl Child, but every day.

The USAID One Health Workforce project is dedicated to promoting gender equality and female empowerment in Africa and Southeast Asia through its work in transforming the regions’ health workforces. Gender roles that influence labor distribution, access to opportunities, and control over resources affect our global efforts on prevention, detection, and response to infectious disease and emerging pandemic threats. Due to this realization, gender considerations are woven into all stages of the OHW program and the One Health University Networks are working towards a reduction in gender imbalances.
 
 The One Health Central and Eastern Africa university network, in particular, is placing gender equality in One Health as a key priority. This year, the network has conducted a gender mainstreaming and infectious disease training that contributes to the network’s new gender strategy and policy. A number of other gender mainstreaming activities occurred throughout the year, including a gender training workshop at the Vietnam One Health University Network that focused on awareness-building in the One Health workforce. 
 
 Today, October 11, is the International Day of the Girl Child, a day when people across the world “recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.” Not only on this day, but throughout this project, OHW hopes to highlight the importance of gender equality in One Health and continue to empower girls with opportunities as part of the future One Health workforce.

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