John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
The recent United Nations General Assembly in New York addressed significant global challenges, including climate change and gender equality. Michele Barry, the director of the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health and senior associate dean of global health, participated in a panel to prioritize women's health needs. Barry is the founder of WomenLift Health, an international nonprofit advocating for increased women's leadership in global health. She also supports greater female representation in climate science and negotiations like the upcoming COP29 climate change convention.
Barry highlighted that "the current election season has placed women’s health concerns and leadership in the national spotlight," but emphasized that women have historically been sidelined in critical medical research and healthcare initiatives. She discussed how climate change disproportionately affects women, particularly due to societal inequities and traditional roles that increase their exposure to environmental risks.
Barry noted that climate change exacerbates gender inequities through issues such as food insecurity, infectious diseases, and gender-based violence. Air pollution and extreme heat affect reproductive health and increase miscarriage risk. Additionally, extreme weather events create more climate refugees, with displaced women facing higher discrimination risks. Despite increased funding for women's health, Barry stressed that little addresses the nexus of women's health and climate.
Barry called for more research into women's health across their lifespan, noting underfunded issues like menopause and urinary incontinence. She commended President Biden's executive order increasing study funding by $12 billion but pointed out gaps in preventive care access due to U.S. abortion restrictions impacting global aid policies.
She advocated for more female leaders to address urgent climate crises because "women bring valuable perspectives given their distinct impacts by climate change." While many women are involved in research and advocacy, few hold leadership positions at major decision-making gatherings like U.N. conferences.
To empower more women leaders globally, Barry suggested centering affected communities' voices when setting agendas related to climate change while emphasizing male allyship as crucial support for advancing women's leadership.
Networking events like this year's WomenLift Health Global Conference illustrate the power of collective voice to achieve equity for women globally.
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