Women leaders drive better healthcare despite global underrepresentation: study
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — A study recently published in the BMJ Global Health journal underscores the transformative potential of women in healthcare leadership.
Despite accounting for 70% of the healthcare workforce globally, women occupy only 25% of leadership roles—a stark disparity that limits progress in innovation, equity, and health outcomes.
Positive impact of female leadership
The study, conducted by Johns Hopkins University researchers, reviewed 137 peer-reviewed articles to assess the impact of female leadership.
An impressive 87% of the studies reported statistically significant positive outcomes linked to women leaders. These benefits spanned six critical areas:
- Financial performance and organizational stability
- Innovation and ethical engagement
- Improved health outcomes
- Enhanced workplace culture and team cohesion
- Career advancement for other women
“Women’s leadership can produce positive results across all sectors and geographies,” the researchers noted. They attributed these outcomes to women’s transformational leadership styles, emphasizing participative and democratic approaches.
Barriers holding women back
However, systemic barriers persist. The study identified patriarchal norms, implicit biases, lack of mentorship, and unsupportive organizational cultures as key obstacles preventing women from rising to leadership positions. These challenges are compounded by societal expectations and limited policies supporting work-life balance.
Dr. Jocalyn Clark, international editor at BMJ, emphasized the urgency of addressing these inequities: “In the current context of the backlash against rights and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, it was even more important to advocate for gender equality.”
“Change is the responsibility of everyone – not just women,” Dr. Clark added.
Call for sustained investment in women leaders
The researchers concluded that investing in women’s leadership is essential for strengthening health systems worldwide. This includes fostering inclusive organizational cultures, providing mentorship opportunities, and supporting independent decision-making by female leaders.
Such investments align with global commitments to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality.
The case for women in healthcare leadership is clear: their inclusion not only drives better organizational outcomes but also fosters societal well-being. As global health systems face mounting challenges, empowering women leaders could be the key to unlocking transformative change.
