University of Global Health Equity Class of 2019 Commencement Ceremony workers that Africa will face by 2030 and the loss of billions of dollars invested by poor countries in health education . With the understanding that many African students cannot afford such quality education , all our master ’ s students benefit from scholarships that take into account their ability to contribute . Our medical students are educated for free as we have created an innovative agreement called Umusanzu ( the Kinyarwanda word for contribution ) signed between UGHE , the Ministry of Health and the students . In exchange for this free education , they commit to work for 6-9 years within the public sector .
Secondly , female academicians are less likely to hold senior positions and are subject to a gender wage gap of around 11 %. Female medical students report gender discrimination and sexual harassment that impact their performance and career advancement . Moreover , cultural factors and
domestic care responsibilities prevent women from engaging actively in long-term research studies and from seeking higher-level positions in academia . These factors contribute to the fact that only 28 % of physicians in Africa are female and only 25 % of global health leadership positions worldwide are held by women . However , as research has proven that more equitable health systems and better clinical outcomes result from increased female representation , this gender inequity within academic institutions can negatively impact health service delivery . During health threats such as COVID-19 , these inequities in higher education and more broadly are exacerbated . Noting that pandemics can have significant repercussions for population health as ordinary health services are interrupted , efforts to improve health systems by addressing all forms of inequity become even more important .
To respond to these challenges , UGHE has adopted a gender equity approach , not an equality approach as this would not fully address the current gender gap . UGHE has a bold requirement that 70 % of students in its medical program and 50 % in all master ’ s programs must be female . The Center for Gender Equity mainstreams gender considerations into the university ’ s curricula , policies , strategies , and practice and monitors this progress through a regular gender and diversity audit .
Embedding universities within communities
An important criticism of universities is that they are detached from the on-the-ground realities of vulnerable populations . This prevents universities and their students from fully understanding the social determinants that could result in inequities in health risks , outcomes , and services .
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