“The Essential Role of Women Leaders in Global Health,” with Agnes Binagwaho, Natalia Kanem ’76, Abby Maxman, and Reema Nanavaty. Moderated by Jacqueline Bhabha

On Radcliffe Day 2023—Friday, May 26—we awarded the Radcliffe Medal to Ophelia Dahl to honor her work advancing global access to healthcare and championing the rights of the poor.
Each year, during Harvard University’s Commencement Week, the Radcliffe Institute awards its highest honor to an individual who embodies its commitment to excellence, inclusion, and social impact. The Radcliffe Medal was first awarded to Lena Horne in 1987. Recipients include Madeleine Albright, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Melinda French Gates, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dolores Huerta, Sherrilyn Ifill, Toni Morrison, Sandra Day O'Connor, Gloria Steinem, and Janet Yellen.

A key component of Radcliffe Day is a panel of internationally recognized experts on a theme related to the work of the Radcliffe Medalist. This year we focus on the essential role of women leaders in global health.

Our panel explores the critical importance of women leaders in global health, probe links between disparate health outcomes for women and girls and the dearth of women leaders in the field, and consider how best to address persistent gender gaps in global health leadership. The research and treatment of health issues specific to women consistently receive less support than those particular to men, while women and girls face unique barriers to healthcare access and experience significant disparities in health outcomes. In this context, it is striking—but perhaps not surprising—to note that while women make up the vast majority of the global health workforce, they comprise a small minority among the world’s most prominent health leaders.

Prior to the panel discussion, Chelsea Clinton offers a testimonial to Dahl’s remarkable work and impact.

Speakers
Jacqueline Bhabha
Professor of the Practice of Health and Human Rights, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Jeremiah Smith Jr. Lecturer in Law, Harvard Law School; and Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School

Agnes Binagwaho
Pediatrician; and Retired Vice Chancellor and Cofounder, University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)

Chelsea Clinton
Vice Chair, Clinton Foundation

Natalia Kanem ’76
United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund

Abby Maxman
President and CEO, Oxfam America

Reema Nanavaty
Director, Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA); Member of the Advisory Council on Gender and Development, World Bank Group

Find out more about our speakers at https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/event/radcliffe-day-2023.

For information about Harvard Radcliffe Institute and its many public programs, visit https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/.

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0:00 Welcome: Tomiko Brown-Nagin
4:19 Testimonial: Chelsea Clinton
16:20 Panel Introduction
22:12 Panel Discussion