Health Action International (HAI) has long been committed to creating a workplace that not only acknowledges systemic gender gaps, but also actively works to address them. We are therefore thrilled that we have been recognised as a high scorer (in the top 20% of global health organisations) by Global Health 50/50 for our promotion of gender equality and diversity.

For the last few years, Global Health 50/50, through its flagship report and the Gender and Health Index, has provided a comprehensive analysis of gender equality and diversity in the global health system by monitoring the policies and practices of hundreds of organisations active in global health and health policy.

Reflecting on the report, HAI Executive Director, Dr Tim Reed, said:

“The report makes for some difficult reading, and our sector must do more to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. And we must do it now. At HAI we have never been complacent in our efforts to promote gender equality in across all of our work. To achieve what we have over the last few years has taken determination and learning, at all levels of the organisation. While gender equality has always been a key value for us, we saw a need to ensure that it is enshrined in our policies and translated into our day to day work. The results of this year’s Global Health 50/50 is an achievement of which we can proud.”

HAI’s Gender Champion, Mieke Bakx, added, “This acknowledgement from Global Health 50/50 confirms that we are on the right track in our endeavours. Of course, we will continue to work on ways to improve gender-mainstreaming within our organisation and programmes, seeking collaborations with other gender experts to encourage mutual learning with the aim to further strengthen our future work.”