UCGHI Celebrates International Women’s Day, Women's History Month and Gender Equity Month

The UC Global Health Institute is excited to honor and recognize the incredible ciswomen, transwomen and non-binary individuals around the globe and across disciplines who are committed to advancing justice, equity, health and human rights. We believe that International Women’s Day, Women’s History Month and Gender Equity Month offer us an opportunity to reflect on diverse perspectives of “womanhood” and identify not only the achievements of women, but also the essential knowledge and values that are passed down through maternal connections to impact the planet, communities, and systems around us. The knowledge and expertise of the women profiled in this month’s newsletter embody these concepts while highlighting their remarkable achievements.

Dr. Adriann Begay and Dr. Cristina Rivera Carpenter bring their Indigenous perspectives to healthcare and the power of being surrounded by the support, love, and direction of other Indigenous women. Dr. Begay, who is Navajo, specifically notes: “Your [Navajo] clan system is primarily handed down matrilineally,” which is a tradition that values the wisdom and contributions of maternal ancestry. In their profile, they reflect on their experience as healthcare practitioners, and how relationships are central to honoring, respecting, and being accountable to their patients.

Dr. Vandana Shiva–whose activism has been essential to the global environmental movement–reveals how her life’s work was inspired by non-violent collective action by rural women. Her activism is living proof of the power of collective action and values framing the human relationship with the planet through sustainable practices that nurture and care for the earth.

Like Drs. Begay, Rivera Carpenter, and Shiva, we are invested in the power of women's leadership, and through the work of our Women’s Health Gender and Empowerment Center of Expertise, we encourage research, education and community engagement to reduce gender and health inequities in order to realize a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable future.

UCGHI is honored to have Drs. Begay, Rivera and Shiva as featured speakers at this year’s UC Global Health Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022.