Watch - Driving change: advancing justice and equity for women in health and care
Watch highlights from the Health and Care Women Leaders Network's International Women's Day 2026 webinar on Friday 6 March.
Speakers
The Health and Care Women Leaders Network's International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 webinar took place on Friday 6 March, from 10am to 12pm. The event brought 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.
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 explored ongoing efforts to advance gender equity and provide practical tools for achieving justice for women and girls in health and care.
The event included 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 left with clarity, connection and renewed confidence to lead change with fairness, compassion and purpose.
Benefits of attending
Delegates had the opportunity to:
- Be inspired by leading experts sharing their experiences and insights.
- Enhance their 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 they 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 other delegates and organisations committed to promoting gender equity and inclusivity in health and care.
Programme and recording timestamps
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.
