Marking International Women’s Day with a call to ‘accelerate action’

City St George’s, University of London marked International Women’s Day with an inspiring event focused on this year’s theme: ‘Accelerate Action’. The event, hosted by the legacy School of Health and Psychological Sciences (SHPS), highlighted the need for increased momentum in addressing systemic barriers and biases faced by women, particularly in health and workplace settings.

The hybrid event brought together staff, students and guest speakers to explore how promoting women’s knowledge and agency in health decisions, alongside institutional change, can drive greater gender equity.

Accelerating action for gender equity

Michelle Ellis, Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at City St George’s, opened the event by stressing the importance of translating conversation into action:

“This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action’, calls for increased momentum in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face. Promoting women and girls’ knowledge and agency in health decisions, along with institutional change to meet these healthcare needs, are key steps toward gender equity.”

The event included a Gender Equity Update at both institutional and school levels, exploring how City St George’s is working to improve gender representation and close the gender pay gap. The update highlighted the University’s progress under the Athena Swan Action Plan and its ambition to secure a silver Athena Swan award by 2027, building on its current bronze status.

Exploring maternity care through an equity lens

A key focus of the event was on maternity care and the need to address inequities in healthcare for women. Octavia Wiseman and Dr Rebecca Webb from the Department of Nursing and Midwifery and alumna midwife Anna Melamed shared insights into how structural barriers and healthcare bias affect outcomes for women, particularly those from minority backgrounds.

The discussions also touched on how healthcare providers can adopt more inclusive practices and ensure that women’s voices are heard in medical decision-making.

Honouring an extraordinary woman

A highlight of the event was the announcement of this year’s SHPS Extraordinary Woman Award. The honour was awarded to Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the University and her leadership in promoting gender and racial equity.

Dr Nkansa-Dwamena is an Associate Professor on the Professional Doctorate (DPsych) in Counselling Psychology, and a practicing Counselling Psychologist. She is co-chair of the Race Equity Implementation Committee and is Principal Investigator of the Network for Racial Justice project on 'Tackling Racism, Exclusion and Racial Injustices' at City St George’s.

Announcing the award, Michelle Ellis said:

“Dr Ohemaa Nkansa-Dwamena has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and impact. Her work embodies the spirit of this year’s theme—accelerating action for meaningful change.”

Responding the award, Dr Nkansa-Dwamena said:

“I just want to say a heartfelt thank you—I am truly grateful. Nothing I have experienced in my work would have been possible without the support of the many wonderful colleagues, students, and clients I have had the privilege to work with.”

Empowering women through institutional change

The event featured presentations from staff in the Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusion (OIEI). Bhavya Jhaveri, Senior EDI Officer for Gender and LGBTQIA+ Inclusion, outlined the University’s ongoing initiatives to support women’s advancement in leadership roles and reduce the gender pay gap.

Sandra Guzman-Rodriguez, Senior EDI Officer for Inclusive and Accessible Communities, discussed plans to introduce more inclusive menstrual health standards, highlighting how workplace barriers related to menstrual health impact women’s career progression.

A platform for open discussion

The event encouraged open dialogue, with attendees invited to share their thoughts and ask questions throughout the session. Discussions included how to better integrate gender equity into university policies, increase awareness of women’s health issues, and address bias in career development opportunities.

The event closed with a call to action, encouraging staff and students to continue advocating for gender equity and to engage with City St George’s gender equity initiatives.