Marking a Milestone: International Women's Day 2025
International Women's Day began as a socialist movement for women's rights and transformed into a global celebration of women's achievements and a call to action for gender parity. The first official International Women's Day was celebrated across Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland in 1911, while the United Nations began celebrating in 1975.
This year’s International Women's Day 2025 theme is "Empowering Voices: Amplifying Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” Our careers as healthcare educators permit us to actively participate in worldwide empowerment.
As we approach International Women's Day 2025, over 100 years after its creation, I reflect on our journeys to pursue gender equality. During PA Week last October, I was gratified to share the stories of my trips to Haiti. While working there on projects such as developing a Physician Extender program through H?pital Albert Schweitzer, I saw firsthand the desperate need for gender equity in education and healthcare. The difference these two facets can make in a woman's life will forever change how one views equity.
The current state of parity
International Women's Day celebrates advances in gender parity, but we can hardly say our work is done. The challenges that women will continue to face in 2025 are formidable. While we've made significant strides, there remain considerable hurdles to overcome in the gender pay gap, underrepresentation in leadership, violence against women, barriers to girls’ access to quality education, and reproductive rights.
According to the World Economic Forum's (weforum.org) latest Global Gender Gap Report, achieving gender parity at the current rate of progress will take approximately 134 years, roughly five generations from now. This is a stark reminder of the urgency of our mission for gender equality.??
The World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report measures gender parity worldwide in four areas: work, education, health, and political leadership. Parity refers to equal opportunities and outcomes for women and men in economic, educational, health, and political realms. The global gender gap is currently estimated to be 68.5% closed.?
The United States’ gender gap is estimated to be 74.8% closed – a bit higher than the average. But we can’t exactly pat ourselves on the back yet. One of the key components of the gender gap measurement is the pay gap. Women in the United States average 82 cents for every dollar men earn, and this statistic has barely moved in the past 20 years. The United States ranks 43rd out of the 146 countries measured.
The power of health education
As a lifelong advocate for women's equity, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education in reshaping lives. The wellness revolution is not just a trend; it's a global movement empowering women to take control of their health and well-being. Increasing accessibility of health information and the growing recognition of the unique health needs of women across different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds fuels the revolution.
In recent years, we've seen a surge in initiatives focused on women's health education, ranging from grassroots community programs to large-scale international efforts. These initiatives are improving individual lives and contributing to broader societal changes.?
Health education for women often incorporates elements of empowerment and self-advocacy. It's not just about teaching women about their bodies; it's about giving them the confidence and tools to navigate healthcare systems and advocate for their health needs.
The impact of women's health education extends far beyond improving individual lives. Educating women about health means investing in the well-being of entire communities and future generations. Here's how:
Increased health education for women is causing remarkable changes in many parts of the world. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, initiatives focused on educating women about HIV prevention have contributed to significant decreases in new infections. In South Asia, programs teaching women about nutrition have improved child health outcomes.
Let’s hear from our consultants!
Here at Scott Massey PhD, LLC, I’m honored to work alongside an all-women staff of consultants and coaches whose contributions are invaluable to our mission. I'm happy to include here some of their thoughts on International Women's Day:
Our consultant Cathy Ruff, MS, PA-C, contributed her thoughts on Empowerment Through Education.?
My father was a strong advocate for women pursuing their degrees. He believed that a degree would equip me to support myself with confidence.
This belief shaped my perspective and instilled in me the understanding that education is a vital tool for independence. It opened doors for me and allowed me to explore opportunities I might not have considered otherwise. Through education, I learned to think critically, build resilience, and assert my own voice, which has been invaluable in my personal and professional journey.
Education goes beyond just earning a degree; it's about personal growth and empowerment. People with access to knowledge and skills can make informed decisions, take on leadership roles, and inspire others in their communities.?
As we honor the spirit of International Women’s Day, I invite everyone to embrace the journey of lifelong learning and encourage all individuals to pursue their education wholeheartedly. Together, we can uplift one another and pave the way for future generations to achieve their fullest potential.
Our consultant Jennifer Eames, MPAS, DHSc, DFAAPA, PA-C, had this to share about taking a stand for equity:
After 50 years as a professional, I was the first female to successfully serve as the founding director of a PA program in the state of Texas. There had been seven founding male directors in Texas over 4+ decades before my appointment in 2015, and two other women had been directors. However, it should have happened sooner. That can be said for many aspects of change: What took so long??
One anecdote I fondly recall is overcoming barriers when remodeling a building. I heard a lot of, “You wouldn't understand,” “We’ll handle that, sweetie,” and every woman’s favorite, “Don't you worry your pretty little head about it.” The workers tired quickly of me coming to the building remodeling site and gave several reasons why I should be excluded, including my hair being loose (easily remedied with a clip), wrong shoes (corrected in 5 minutes), and finally, not having my own hard hat (even though none of them wore one). I immediately went to the nearest hardware store and returned 15 minutes later sporting my own hard hat, much to their surprise.??
When I eventually left the position, my staff gifted me another hard hat, signed by all faculty members in commemoration of the tenacity it took to overcome big and small barriers.??
Bias is everywhere, but times are changing, and hopefully, small victories will add up to parity soon. In my international work, I have seen so many cultures where women bear a heavy burden and struggle to encounter the healthcare system. It is critical that we raise our voices and advocate together.??
In November 2024, two of our consultants, Dr. Tina Butler and Dr. Johnna Yealy, presented the webinar, "DEI Action Plans." Drs. Butler and Yealy made excellent points and noted that healthcare professionals can truly lead the way in social change. Healthcare professionals see firsthand the importance of respecting all patients, which requires cultural competency. But in the literal sense, equity cannot happen without safe, adequate healthcare for everyone. When we bring healthcare and education to underserved women, we set equity's foundation.
Turning celebration into lasting change
As we commemorate International Women's Day 2025, remember that our work extends far beyond this single day of celebration. As healthcare professionals and educators, we are in a prime position to lead the movement toward gender equality.?