Asta Monglo

International independent consultant, Cameroon

Abstract Title:Women's Leadership, a pathway to better healthcare in Africa

Biography:

Asta Monglo is a Cameroonian Senior nurse, who completed basic nursing studies since 1990 and gradually build her skills and made additional studies and actually hold Maters degrees in Public health, social science and global management respectively with universities in Cameroon and Salford University in England. She is an independent consultant working to support the Global Polio Eradication initiative and Immunization programs in African countries.

Research Interest:

Women's leadership plays a crucial role in improving healthcare around the world. Through an empathetic and inclusive approach, women leaders in the health sector are better able to understand the specific needs of vulnerable populations, including women and children. Their involvement helps improve access to health care, promote maternal and child health, and encourage innovation in medical services, such as mobile clinics and telemedicine. Women's leadership therefore appears to be a key lever for improving health systems in Africa, where women make up about 70% of the workforce. Unfortunately, they are largely underrepresented in decision-making roles (WHO, 2019). While they play a crucial role in caregiving, they face entrenched gender inequalities, cultural barriers, and limited access to leadership training opportunities (USAID, 2017). The lack of female role models and support networks makes it more difficult for them to progress to leadership positions (Global Health 50/50, 2022). To overcome these challenges, mentorship programs promotion, creation of professional networks are key supports. In addition, governments and institutions need to adopt inclusive policies that promote equal opportunities, including through management and decision-making training programs (AWDF, 2021). Strengthening women's leadership could not only improve access to and quality of care, but also promote greater gender equality in the African health sector. As inspiring role models, women leaders promote the empowerment of young girls and the reduction of gender inequalities in the health sector. They also play a key role in advocating for health policies adapted to local realities and women's needs as well as inequalities in access to care. Keywords: women's leadership, gender inequalities, health care in Africa, mentors, inclusive policies, capacity building