National Health Service launches gender equality report

On 3 December, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) launched its report, "NHS Women In Leadership: Plan for Action" at the Health Services Journal (HSJ) Women Leaders Network hosted by HSJ and NHS Employers. The report, which features a foreward from UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, details why gender equality is important in the NHS in alignment with the gender-focused Sustainable Development Goal 5.

The report proposes several recommendations directed at the NHS England, which is the fifth-largest employer in the world. It suggests establishing a system-wide task force and monitoring and accountability framework to focus on strengthening the organizational culture for gender equality.

The report also recognizes UN Women’s commitment to abolish gender inequalities around the globe and advance women’s empowerment, and draws upon UN System experiences such as the UN System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (SWAP), which offers a series of actions that organizations can take to effect such change at an individual, organizational and system-wide level.

Recommendations made in the report are supported by: Royal College of General Practitioners, UK Department of Health, Royal College of Surgeons, Public Health England, Medical Women's Federation, Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management, NHS Employers, The King's Fund, Trust Development Authority, NHS Clinical Commissioners and NHS England.