INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2023

On 8 March 2023, WONCA joined InternationalWomen'sDay,underthetheme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for genderequality

From the earliest days of computing to the present age of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, women have made untold contributionstothedigitalworldinwhichwe increasingly live Their accomplishments havebeenagainstallodds,inafieldthathas historically neither welcomed nor appreciatedthem

Today, a persistent gender gap in digital access keeps women from unlocking technology’s full potential Their underrepresentation in STEM education and careers remains a major barrier to their participationintechdesignandgovernance. And the pervasive threat of online genderbased violence coupled with a lack of legal recourse too often forces them out of the digitalspacestheydooccupy

At the same time, digital technology is opening new doors for the global empowerment of women, girls and other marginalized groups From genderresponsivedigitallearningtotech-facilitated sexual and reproductive healthcare, the digital age represents an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate all forms of disparityandinequality

On the ocassion, WONCA President Dr Anna Stavdalrecognizedthepivotalroleoffemale family doctors and their tireless work and commitmenttopatient-centredcare

On international Women's Day, and every day, WONCA celebrates the incredible contributions of female healthcare professionals and their crucial role in family medicine

Let's also take this opportunity to support and advocate for equity and access to care forallwomen

Read the inspiring reflections from Dr Elizabeth Reji, chair of the WONCA Working PartyonWomenandFamilyMedicineHERE

Everyyearonthe8thofMarch,International women's day is celebrated to uplift, encourage, and influence women across the globe to rise and be the best versions of themselves within every field including social, political, cultural, economic and scientific activities This year's theme emphasizestheachievementofwomenwho havestrived,workedhardandmadeaname in the field of innovation and technology removinganybiasesandestablishinggender equality. There are so many unsung female heroes that have made significant contributions within innovation and technologyandthiswomen'sday,wewould liketorememberalloftheseheroes

Ihaveseeninspiringstorieseverydayonthe internetincludingwomenwhohavebounced back into careers after being stay at home mothersforyears:LauraBoccanfusogother PhD in computer sciences and has been the forerunner in creating Al enabled classroom tutors for students to assist children with learning disabilities. Similarly, in the field of science, Jennifer Doudna solved the most complex biological structures using X-ray crystallography and was awarded the Nobel prizeinChemistry

Amongst the youngsters, we have women who have started businesses and upskilled more women to join the workforce through innovation and technology Cristina Junqueria cofounded Nubank within fintech to provide services to over 53 million customers.Allthesewomenstrivetowardsa common goal: Creating a world where womencandreamandmaketheirdreamsa reality Thisyear,letussetexamplesbutalso encourage one another to understand the importance of learning and continuously growing

On behalf of the WONCA Working Party on Women and Family Medicine (WWPWFM), I would first like to thank all female family doctors across the world for their contributionsanddedicationtowardsclinical practices especially within women's health andeducation

The only way we can continually progress is by constanfly challenging ourselves and findinginspirationfromeachother Maythis women's day be our reminder to never give uponourdreamsandtoensurethatwecan also be part of the system that breaks the biasesthatsurroundwomen.LetWONCAset anexampleofwomeninmedicineadvancing and creating transparency, equality and innovationthroughtheiractionsandefforts

Let us continue dreaming together, for a dream we have together is what becomes reality

DRELIZABETHREJI WWPWFMCHAIR