Shop on Impakter Eco
  • Women
  • Men
  • Kids
  • Beautycare
  • Home & Living
  • Food & Drinks
  • Pets
Impakter
Shop on Eco Shop
  • Shop Eco
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
    • Entertainment
    • Literature
    • Music
    • Photography
  • Style
    • Architecture
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Foodscape
    • Lifestyle
  • Society
    • Business
    • Environment
    • Foreign Affairs & Politics
    • Health
    • Tech
    • Science
    • Start-up
  • Impact
    • Eco Life
    • Circular Economy
    • COP26
    • CityLife
      • Copenhagen
      • San Francisco
      • Seattle
      • Sydney
    • Sustainability Series
      • SDGs Series
      • Shape Your Future
      • 2030: Dream or Reality
    • Philanthropy
      • United Nations
      • NGO & Charities
      • Essays
    • Your Voice
      • Empower Earth
      • Empower Equality
  • SUSTAINABILITY INDEX
  • Startup-Hub
    • Companies
    • Investors
    • Organisations
    • Jobs
    • Events
  • Partners
  • About
    • Team
    • Global Leaders
    • Contributors
    • Write for Impakter
    • IMPAKTER Italy
    • Republishing Content
    • Permissions and Copyright
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Impakter
No Result
View All Result
Home Future of Europe Series

Global Health Organizations In The Hands of High-Income Countries

New Global Health report reveals data suggesting boards of major global health organizations, including NGOs, lack diversity

Elizabeth PartschbyElizabeth Partsch
March 30, 2022
in Future of Europe Series, Health
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

On Wednesday, a new report conducted by Global Health 50/50 released data showing the lack of inclusivity of different genders and demographics across major global health organizations.

From July through October 2021, GH50/50 assessed the demographics of board members active in global health accounting for 1,946 individuals holding 2,014 board seats across 146 organizations. 

Global Health describes this report as an “in-depth look at power and privilege, by examining who governs global health.”

The sample size of organizations observed include a wide range of non-governmental and nonprofit organizations, private for-profit companies, public-private partnerships, funders and philanthropies, faith-based organizations and research and surveillance organizations.

What are the findings?

Out of the 146 organizations included in the study, overall GH50/50 found a major lack of gender and nationality representation. 

The report found that 75% of board seats are currently occupied by nationals of high-income countries, the governing bodies of 69 organizations entirely made up of members from high-income countries — accounting for almost half of the entire sample size (146).

In stark contrast, only 25% of board seats were found to be held by low and middle-class countries, despite the fact these countries account for 83% of the world’s population.

Alongside the lack of representation of low to middle-income countries, they found that 51% of all board seats in these organizations are held by only 2 countries, both being high-income — 44% held by Americans and 7% held by Britain. 

One of the most shocking key findings is the lack of women involved in organizations concerning global health, especially those of low and middle-income countries. 

Only 1% of women from low-income countries are included in global health organizations — accounting for 17 board seats out of 2,014 board seats total. 

Likewise, the inclusivity of low-income countries in general makes up only 2.5% of seats across 16 boards. 

Women of middle-income countries also reflect similar numbers with 2% of seats occupied by such persons. 

In total, 40% of board seats are made up of women — the great majority coming from high-income countries. 

Lack of women is clearly apparent across all organizations observed, but what is even more shocking is out of all persons assessed only 1 person identifies as non-binary — representations of all genders almost entirely unrepresented. 

Besides bad news, the report did find that progress is being made, but perhaps too slowly.

In 2020, 34% of board seats were held by women, but in 2021 the number rose to 43% — an increase that shows what seems to be an interest in promoting women inclusivity across board seats.

Yet despite these rising numbers, only 10% of assessed organizations have implemented measures to promote more women held seats and only 5% are willing to address geographic imbalances. 

As the world continues to evolve into a forum of various genders and demographics, global health organizations seem to be unwilling to welcome those who do not fall into a certain category — or if anything shows a quiet resistance to implementing more inclusivity measures. With global health organizations having such a prevalent role in our day and age, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to linger, it is important that everybody from different backgrounds is included in decisions that decide the health of the majority.  


Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. — In the Featured Photo: Flu shot given at Fort George G. Meade Public Affairs Office on September 22, 2015. Source: Steve Ellmore, Flickr.

Tags: Global Health 50/50global health organizationshigh-income countrieslow-income countrieswomen
Previous Post

Crisis in Sri Lanka: Feed the People or Declare Default?

Next Post

One Health is Critical in Dealing with Infectious Diseases But Few People Know It 

Elizabeth Partsch

Elizabeth Partsch

Liz is a junior completing a bachelor's degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish at Ohio University. She is an editorial intern at Impakter and currently resides in Athens, Ohio, where she also writes and photographs for the Athens student-run newspaper The Post. Passionate about writing and photography, her interests include environmental/sustainability, economics, and community issues.

Related Posts

Ukraine War at Top of Agenda in Davos, Climate Change is Next
Climate Change

Ukraine War at Top of Agenda in Davos, Climate Change is Next

May 25, 2022
World Economic Forum 2022: Not All Major Issues Adressed
Health

World Economic Forum 2022: Not All Major Issues Adressed

May 24, 2022
When “Feeling Nothing” Is Not Good Enough to Survive
Health

When “Feeling Nothing” Is Not Good Enough to Survive

May 22, 2022
Next Post
One Health is Critical in Dealing with Infectious Diseases But Few People Know It 

One Health is Critical in Dealing with Infectious Diseases But Few People Know It 

Recent News

Hundreds of Climate Activists Protest Against TotalEnergies’ New Fossil Fuel Projects

Hundreds of Climate Activists Protest Against TotalEnergies’ New Fossil Fuel Projects

May 26, 2022
Texas School Shooting Claims 21 Lives, Sparking Calls for Gun Reform

Texas School Shooting Claims 21 Lives, Sparking Calls for Gun Reform

May 26, 2022
Sustainable Malmö: Six Short Films Demonstrate How Cities Can Become More Sustainable

Sustainable Malmö: Six Short Films Demonstrate How Cities Can Become More Sustainable

May 26, 2022
impakter-logo-light

Impakter informs you through the eco news site and empowers your sustainable lifestyle with its eco products marketplace.

Visit here IMPAKTER ECO for your eco products needs.

Registered Office Address

32 Lots Road, London
SW10 0QJ, United Kingdom


IMPAKTER Limited

Company number: 10806931

Impakter is a publication that is identified by the following International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is the following 2515-9569 (Printed) and 2515-9577 (online – Website).


Office Hours - Monday to Friday

9.30am - 5.00pm CEST


Email

stories [at] impakter.com

About Us

  • Team
  • Contributors
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Partners

By Audience

  • Lifestyle
  • Green Finance
  • Culture
  • Society
  • Style
  • Impact

Impakter Platforms

  • Media
  • Up
  • Index
  • Eco for Sellers
  • Impakter Pro

© 2022 IMPAKTER. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Culture
  • Style
  • Society
  • Impact
  • ECO Products Shop – Try now!
  • INDEX – Sustainability Index
  • UP – Startup Hub
  • About
    • Partners
    • Team
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
Impakter.com uses cookies to enhance your experience when visiting the website and to serve you with advertisements that might interest you. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.