A gender inequality regime in global health organizations
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Description
The purpose of this three-paper dissertation is to investigate how gender inequalities manifest within global health organizations. The definition of the term “global health organizations” is adopted from the Global Health 50/50 report, which defines these organizations as those working in global health and/or aiming to influence global health policy and are operational in more than three countries. These organizations include non-governmental organizations, philanthropic foundations, multilateral agencies, programs, medical journals, research and academic institutions, public-private partnerships, and private firms. In the first paper, a conceptual framework of gender inequality regimes of global health organizations and associated qualitative data collection instruments were developed based on a comprehensive literature review, building upon Joan Acker’s notion of an inequality regime using gender as the basis of inequality. The second and third papers operationalize the conceptual framework of a gender inequality regime using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to evoke perceptions, experiences, and opinions regarding institutional gender inequalities among the participants. The second paper presents a formative study of how gender inequalities manifest within a school of public health based on focus group discussions carried out with both male and female tenure track and non-tenure track faculty. The study findings reveal differences in the perceptions and experiences of men and women faculty, as shaped by their gender. The study explores the challenges women face in achieving leadership roles, including balancing family and work, navigating masculine organizational structures, finding sponsors and mentors, connecting with the right networks, and forming key research collaborations. The third paper explores qualitatively how male and female leaders of global health organizations are able to move beyond good intentions to lead transformative change within their organizations. Global health organizations that scored high on two metrics, “commitment to gender equality” and “having a gender equality workplace policy” on the Global Health 50/50’s 2021 report, Gender Equality: Flying Blind in a Time of Crisis, were selected for participation in the study. These organizations include organizations in the UN system, bilateral and multilateral organizations, public-private partnerships, philanthropic and funding organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The study is based on in-depth interviews of male and female leaders of the selected organizations, serving as either head of the organization, or leading gender equality agendas within their organization, to investigate the extent to which they perceive gender inequalities and the actions they take in implementing gender equality initiatives within their organizations. The study findings are used to identify best practices for addressing gender inequities among the global health organizations under study. Cumulatively, these studies present a framework to measure and document gender inequality regimes, shedding light on the adequacy of using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to evoke perceptions, experiences, and opinions regarding institutional gender inequalities, and providing solutions to overcome these inequalities within global health organizations.