Geneva – Unitaid has been ranked in the top 5% of global health organisations for promoting gender equality in a prestigious international report released today.

The Global Health 50/50 report, published for the fourth time to mark International Women’s Day 2021, reviews the gender-related policies and practices of 201 organisations working in global health.

Unitaid was placed in the select group of 12 ‘very high scorers’, alongside partners including The Global Fund, Save the Children and PSI, and was also ranked among the highest-scoring multilateral organisations.

A variety of metrics were used to assess performance, including stated commitment to gender equality, policies to advance equity and tackle power imbalances in the workplace, and the gender-responsiveness of health programmes.

While the report highlights significant overall progress in areas such as gender policy transparency and inclusive working environments, it underlines the need for further change in terms of women in positions of power and recognition of how gender impacts people’s health, particularly in the context of COVID-19.

Unitaid Executive Director and International Gender Champion Dr Philippe Duneton said: “I am delighted to see Unitaid recognised as one of the best international organisations for gender equality. As leaders in global health, it is our role to ensure that words transform into action, and that we fight for equality in our daily actions, as well as big moments such as these.”

Global Health 50/50 Co-directors Kent Buse and Sarah Hawkes said: “On behalf of Global Health 50/50, we would like to congratulate Unitaid for their strong performance in the 2021 Gender and Health Index. By taking deliberate and transparent actions, Unitaid keeps the pressure on themselves and others in the sector to continue pushing for change, and provides much needed hope that we can achieve gender equality in our quest for health, dignity and social justice for all.”

The full Global Health 50/50 report can be read here.

Unitaid among top 5% of global health organisations for promoting gender equality – according to @GlobalHlth5050 2021 report, released for @womensday. Read more here https://t.co/zAGxWEaqMF👇#IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge pic.twitter.com/afHvgxBiRT

— Unitaid (@UNITAID) March 8, 2021

Media contacts:

Hervé Verhoosel, Unitaid, Geneva – tel. +44 77 29 618 634, verhooselh@unitaid.who.int

Charlotte Baker, Unitaid, Geneva – tel. +44 7904 460 181, bakerc@unitaid.who.int