International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements and contributions of women. The day has been celebrated for well over a century, since 1911 and draws attention to the need for more progressive mindsets, inclusive behaviors and continuous efforts from everyone, everywhere and at every level, to promote women’s equality.
Balance is not a women's issue, it's an economic issue. Gender equality and women empowerment are central to the attainment of all the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s theme, #BalanceforBetter highlights the value that women add to their families, communities, economies, and to the world; as well as the contributions that they can bring to the table if they are given seats. Achieving balance requires that the voices and experiences of both men and women are considered and integrated at the inception of policies, innovations, and programs. No one should be left behind.
Here at eHealth Africa, we embrace gender balance and we recognize its role in ensuring that businesses and projects, including ours, thrive. eHealth Africa is an equal opportunity employer and we have put policies in place that support both men and women to achieve their professional and personal goals. Our workplace policies on diversification and maternity leave challenge stereotypes in the workplace and encourage women at every stage of life to maintain the balance between their roles in their personal and professional lives. We are especially proud of the gender balance in our leadership. Our board of directors is 60% female and most members of our senior management team, are women.
Today, we recognize and thank the women we have worked with—the mothers who take their children to the health facilities we support, the female health workers who mobilize them, our staff at our country offices who create tools for collecting and analyzing reliable, real-time data and the women in governments across Africa, who plan programs and formulate policies that shape health systems.
We can all do something to support gender balance for a better world. Put your hands out and strike the #BalanceforBetter pose, as we celebrate women all over the world!