JOIN THE NARRATIVE
Who we are and what we do
About Us
Currently, vast gender disparities in health leadership affect career growth for women and create bias in research and treatment.
According to a report by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), “70% of the global healthforce are women”, but only take up “25% of senior leadership positions in healthcare”.
Our organization aims to raise awareness about this often unknown societal issue, and inspire women starting their professional careers in health by making them realize that they have the power to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Tatiana Espinosa-Merlano
"Building a future where women are given the opportunity to be equitably
represented in leadership positions is something that affects the health of
ALL women - of all of society, even. I want to help build a community that
is part of that change, because together we are stronger - and our
power, should we choose to acknowledge it, is limitless."
Natalia Espinosa-Merlano
"For me, to build a community means not only to build a better future, but to
build a better present in which women are empowered and heard, not
ignored and dismissed. Yes, we need future female health leaders, but
we also have tenacious leaders of the past and present that we need
to celebrate. To rewrite the narrative and choose our present, I am in
EWIH because change is long overdue."
Meet the Founders
What We Do
Since its foundation in 2020, EWIH has been bringing awareness about the need for a more equitable health leadership through monthly informational campaigns and has been fostering a community of growth, self-development, and empowerment through activities that bring the community together. These activities range from interviews with health leaders, to professional panels, to community challenges, to interactive educational games.
Larger scale events provide opportunities for networking, skill-building and mentorship, all which are critical components for preparing aspiring leaders to succeed in their future careers - a process they can start at any point in their academic journey. Moreover, we partner with women-owned health-oriented local businesses for activity prizes to empower women holistically; we cannot aim to create a better future alone - inclusion through an intersectional lens is key to empower all women.
What Drives Us?
The depth of area to cover - no matter how much we advocate and fight for women’s voices to be heard in health, there is so much to do. Beyond classic “women’s reproductive health”, women face inequalities in nearly every sub-field of health due to lack of research or data or representation.
This issue also goes beyond gender - what about Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color? Women belonging to the LGBTQIA2S+ community? Women with disabilities or from low socioeconomic background? There are so many issues to tackle and advocate, so the nature of this intersectional issue is so complex.
There’s a quote by Audre Lorde that goes like this:
“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even if her shackles are very different from my own”.
That’s the whole point of EWIH: to make sure none of us feels unfree in something as fundamental as health - no matter how long it takes. We’ve still got a long road ahead, and the notion that we can lessen our community’s struggles is what keeps us motivated.
Dr. Shamara Baidoobonso,
Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Officer,
EWIH Black Women Health Leader Interviews
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EWIH is supported by the Agents of Change Program at York University, and by Calumet and Stong Colleges.
The Agents of Change Program at York University provides support and start-up funding for student-led, community initiatives that address the Social Determinants of Health and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Our Sponsors
Are you interested in Sponsoring us or Collaborating with us? Send us an email at empoweringwomeninhealth@gmail.com!
