Expert advice
Workforce: We must close the persistent gender gap in opportunities and pay
Improving working conditions for women in nursing will strengthen the profession as a whole

Improving working conditions for women in nursing will strengthen the profession as a whole
Across the world, 70% of the health workforce is comprised of women. But a recent analysis of gender and equity in the health workforce, published by the World Health Organization (WHO), shows that 69% of global health organisations have male leaders.
The report, published in March, also revealed that the health workforce gender pay gap is estimated at 26% in high-income countries.
Global inequity
Against this global backdrop, UK nursing is not a shining beacon of progress. Recent research has highlighted that men – who make up 11% of the profession –
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