The Role of Women’s Leadership in Strengthening Subnational Health Systems in Nigeria
A White Paper
Executive summary
Broad Outlook
This paper explores the pivotal role of women’s leadership in strengthening sub-national health systems in Nigeria, effectively making a case and linkage between gender-balanced leadership and effective health outcomes. Women leaders contribute unique perspectives and skills, prioritizing equity, inclusivity, and community well-being above all else. The information we gathered shows that women’s leadership can lead to significant improvements, including increased immunization rates, better reproductive health services, and enhanced maternal and neonatal care.
Methodology
A mixed methodology approach that leveraged extensive desk research,
one-on-one interviews, and focus group discussions was used. Through the
desk research, existing data from sources including reports, academic
papers, and other previously published sources were gathered and
synthesized to support the white paper’s objectives. After this, one-on-one
interviews were conducted with seven female health commissioners with
guided questions to acquire their perspective on the state of women’s
leadership in the subnational health system, the existing barriers to
women’s advancement, and practical recommendations for bridging this
gap.
Insight and perspectives gathered from the two stages formed the
base of the first iteration of the white paper. This first iteration was then
validated by 26 mid and senior-level professionals of the Medical Women’s
Association of Nigeria (MWAN) and Women in Healthcare Network
(WIHCN) and 12 stakeholders engaged from various sectors including
private sector organizations, academia, local health-focused non-
governmental organizations, and health-focused industry. Cumulatively,
this added up to 38 validators across two focus group discussion (FGD)
sessions.
Upon conclusion of the FGDs, five of the seven female health
commissioners were re-engaged for a validation process, after which the
final iteration of the white paper was updated.
Barriers to Women’s Leadership
Despite being the majority in the health workforce, women face substantial barriers to leadership. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Gender bias
- Cultural and religious norms
- Work-life balance issues
- A lack of role models
- The typecast of leadership as inherently male, and;
- A dearth of converging spaces.
All of these barriers work hand-in-hand to limit their impact on health systems.
Impact of Women’s Leadership on Subnational Health Systems
In developing this white paper, the seven female Health Commissioners in
Nigeria who represent 19% of the Nigeria National Council on Health (NCH)
were engaged.
Together, these female Commissioners representing FCT, Kaduna, Kwara,
Ogun, Oyo, Rivers and Sokoto States are collectively responsible for
40,642,631 million people and have driven critical health initiatives.
Some of these initiatives include:
- New salary structures for doctors
- Innovative service provision and care services to remote areas
- Improved drug supply to primary health centres
- Increased representation of women in leadership, and;
- Enhanced service delivery through workforce training and infrastructure upgrades while leveraging targeted local and international partnerships.
The NCH is the largest coordinating body of health policy and programs in Nigeria chaired by the Honourable Minister of Health and includes all the Health Commissioners from the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Recommendations to Enhance Women’s Leadership
To promote women’s leadership in the health sector, this paper recommends implementing policies at the local, state, and national levels to remove systemic barriers.
Some of the key recommendations include:
Providing training and development opportunities
Establishing mentorship programs and networking opportunities
Enacting supportive legislation
Encouraging family and spousal support
Embarking on social and behavioural change programmes to facilitate the evolution of predominant social norms
Implementing targeted leadership building initiatives.
Conclusion
By addressing these issues and implementing the suggested strategies for increased women’s leadership inclusion in subnational health systems, stakeholders can foster a more equitable, effective, and resilient health system that significantly improves health outcomes and benefits all members of the Nigerian society.