At a glance:
- International Women’s Day takes place on Saturday 8 March
- Women make up around three quarters of the NHS workforce
- NCA colleagues share what inclusion means to them
This International Women’s Day (Saturday 8 March) we take the opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Women are an integral part of the NHS making up around three quarters of the organisation’s workforce.
The theme this year is ‘Accelerate Action’ and focuses on how we can all step forward in solidarity to take decisive steps to achieve gender equality.
It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
This International Women’s Day, we’ve asked some of the incredible women working at the NCA about what inclusion means to them and the importance of ‘accelerating action.’
Roohi Khushtar - obstetrics and gynaecology lead pharmacist at The Royal Oldham Hospital
“As a pharmacist working across wards with many members of staff and patients, gender inclusion means creating a welcoming, respectful and supportive environment for individuals of all gender identities.
“Some challenges I may face in my role include supporting individuals from gender-diverse communities who may experience mental health challenges such as anxiety and discrimination which can impact their overall health and wellbeing.
“This can be relevant in maternity and gynaecology where issues like fertility and pregnancy can be emotionally charged. I have always tried to provide empathetic support and non-judgemental care is vital.”
Susie Yao - consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the clinical director for NCA Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery
“I am by coincidence a female, a wife and a mum. I have never knowingly seen my femaleness as a challenge and have not personally experienced any barriers that I have had to overcome that have been gender related. I absolutely overcome the usual challenges associated with a surgical career path and perhaps it is the fact that I have not seen my gender to be anything particularly interesting that I have not allowed it to be something to be singled out.
“Men and women have incredible differences, just as there are differences between one man to another and one woman to another. What gender inclusion means to me is for every individual to be assessed and valued based on their individual ability and contributions.
“However, I am still excited when there is an all-female surgical team, as it is still by exception. The day equality has been reached is when there is no longer an excitement because it has become the norm.”
Emma Vardy - consultant geriatrician at the NCA and Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Manchester
“I am passionate about including and supporting women in clinical academia and the wider research workforce. My path in research has not been a smooth one at times and I moved to Salford as a consultant with the intention on giving up in research altogether. Thankfully that didn’t happen due to support and encouragement of many colleagues, and the provision of some timely opportunities, that enabled me to pursue and develop my research interest.
“I’m still learning how to overcome some of the barriers that women encounter as a clinical academic, and regularly call on mentorship from others. Having the support of women who have experienced some of these same barriers has been invaluable.
"Most recently, feeling a bit overwhelmed having said yes to too many tasks, the book ‘The No Club: putting a stop to women’s dead-end work’ by Babcock / Peyser / Vesterlund / Weingart was commended to me by a colleague. I haven’t finished it yet; I haven’t had time! But the purpose in sharing this is to say that the barriers are real, but they are not insurmountable, and sometimes you need to work out when to continue down a particular path and when to re-route.
“I’ve always been one to call out, or a later learned skill ‘call in’ gender bias when I’ve experienced it or when I’ve seen it. That is not always easy but with my own increasing years has come courage. To end I’d like to draw your attention to the poem ‘Courage is a muscle’ by the fantastic Salena Godden. Listen to Salena reading the poem out on woman’s hour.”
Claire Donaldson - leadership and management apprenticeship tutor
“My role is to support frontline and aspiring leaders on the Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor Apprenticeship. A significant focus of the course is to address unconscious bias, improve self-awareness, promote equality, equity and diversity and create inclusive environments.
“The programme enables our leaders to challenge with confidence stereotypes and limiting gender expectations. Creating environments free from gender bias fosters a culture of respect, creativity, innovation and non-discrimination, ensuring that all colleagues feel comfortable expressing their identities. I am proud to have empowered learners to break the glass ceiling and ensure that they base their judgement of others on their skills and abilities rather than gender stereotypes or assumptions.”
Over the next month we will continue to celebrate amazing women working across the NCA. Keep an eye out on our comms channels and social media to read more about their work and celebrate their achievements.