Webinar

Driving change: advancing justice and equity for women in health and care

Join the Health and Care Women Leaders Network’s International Women's Day 2026 webinar on Friday 6 March.
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General information

Time
6 March 2026 10:00 - 12:00 GMT
Audience
Open to all
Sponsor
Purple Beard

Speakers

  • Headshot of Salma Yasmeen
    Salma Yasmeen
    Chief Executive, Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Sam Jones bio picture
    Samantha Jones OBE
    Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care
  • Headshot of Sue Holden
    Sue Holden
    Executive Chair, Aqua
  • Bio picture Dr Genevieve Jeffrey
    Dr Genevieve Jeffrey
    Teaching Fellow, University of Warwick and Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics
  • Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti bio picture
    Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti
    Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Women's Health Champion, Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board
  • Mandy Rayner bio picture
    Mandy Rayner
    Senior Healthcare Luminary Advisor, St Vincents Consulting
  • Kate Jarman
    Kate Jarman
    Director of Corporate Affairs, Milton Keynes University Hospital and Co-Founder, Flex NHS
  • Headshot of Shera Chok
    Dr Shera Chok
    GP and Chair and Founder, Shuri Network
  • Dr Dianne Addei bio picture
    Dr Dianne Addei
    Director, National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme

The Health and Care Women Leaders Network’s International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 webinar will bring together senior leaders, practitioners and partners to explore what rights, justice and action mean in practice during a time of structural change, workforce pressure and evolving models of care. 

Join the Health and Care Women Leaders Network's IWD webinar on Friday 6 March, from 10am to 12pm, held on Zoom.

IWD takes place each year on 8 March. It is an opportunity to highlight the achievements of women and girls, raise awareness of the challenges they face and advocate for gender equality. It serves as a platform to unite voices, foster meaningful discussions and inspire action toward creating a more equitable world for women. 

This year's theme, Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, established by UN Women, the lead UN entity on gender equality and the secretariat of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, calls for actions to dismantle systemic barriers and ensure that all women and girls can fully access their rights. It emphasises the need for equitable justice systems that empower women to uphold their rights and foster a society where gender equality becomes a reality.

Women working in health and care often face significant disparities and limited career development opportunities, which contribute to underrepresentation in leadership and perpetuate systemic barriers to justice and equity in the sector. This event will explore ongoing efforts to advance gender equity and provide practical tools for achieving justice for women and girls in health and care. 

The event will include keynote reflections, panel discussions and fireside chats focused on how reform impacts women differently, where progress may falter and how inclusive leadership can enhance and protect women's rights and equity in health and care. Attendees will leave with clarity, connection and renewed confidence to lead change with fairness, compassion and purpose.

Why attend  

Register your place for the opportunity to:  

  • Be inspired by leading experts sharing their experiences and insights. 
  • Enhance your knowledge and skills in women's rights and advocacy. 
  • Understand current challenges and recent developments affecting women and girls in health and care. 
  • Identify actions you can take to advocate for justice and drive systemic change towards gender equity in your organisation. 
  • Learn about the future of women's health and the NHS's plans to create lasting change.
  • Connect with delegates and organisations committed to promoting gender equity and inclusivity in health and care. 

Who should attend  

This event is open to anyone working in health and care interested in enhancing gender equity within their organisation - everyone is welcome! 

Book your free place and encourage your colleagues and others to join us too. 

Programme
  • Salma will begin with an introduction highlighting the importance of commemorating IWD. 

    Salma Yasmeen, Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network and Chief Executive, Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

  • Samantha will highlight this year's theme and its importance for women and girls in health and care.

    Samantha Jones OBE, Permanent Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care 

  • Fireside chat
    Explore women's health rights and the essential role of advocacy with leading experts in healthcare policy. They will discuss current challenges across the sector and provide effective strategies and practical tools for exercising your rights and promoting gender equity in your organisation. 

    Chair

    Kate Jarman, Director of Corporate Affairs, Milton Keynes University Hospital and Co-Founder, Flex NHS

    Panellist

    Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Women’s Health Champion, Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board

  • Panel session 
    Gain insights into the inequities women and girls face in health and care, particularly in marginalised communities, through key data and personal stories from guest speakers. The session will focus on practical solutions and initiatives to empower you to take action.

    Chair

    Sue Holden, Executive Chair, Aqua 

    Panellists 

    Genevieve Jeffrey, Teaching Fellow, University of Warwick and Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics

    Dr Dianne Addei, Director, National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme 

  • Fireside chat   
    Hear from NHS leaders sharing insights on the Women’s Health Strategy within the 10-year plan and current NHS reforms, along with their potential impact on women in the workforce and the future of health and care. Gather inspiration to drive innovation in your organisation. 

     Chok, GP and chair and founder of the Shuri Network

    Chair

    Dr Shera Chok, GP and Chair and Founder, Shuri Network

    Panellist

    Mandy Rayner, Senior Healthcare Luminary Advisor, St Vincent's Consulting 

    Stacey Hunter, Group Chief Executive, University Hospitals Tees

  • An opportunity to have your questions answered by our guest speakers following the event. 

  • Salma will share key reflections and insights from the event. 

    Salma Yasmeen, Chair, Health and Care Women Leaders Network and Chief Executive, Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Get involved 

Email women.leaders@nhsconfed.org to share how your organisation is honouring IWD 2026 and any initiatives you are supporting for promotion across network channels. 

Health and Care Women Leaders Network 

Delivered by the NHS Confederation, the Health and Care Women Leaders Network is a free network for all women working across health and care.  Find out more and join the Health and Care Women Leaders network. For the latest updates, follow the network on LinkedIn.

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