Women’s leadership in the health sector is a pressing issue that deserves attention. As the sector evolves to address the world’s healthcare challenges, the role of women leaders is paramount in driving change and improving healthcare outcomes. Women bring unique insights and diverse perspectives, making their inclusion in leadership roles vital.
How AbbVie is supporting female leadership in the healthcare sector
Founded in 2013, AbbVie produces immunology, oncology, neuroscience, virology, and aesthetic medicines.
Singapore is AbbVie’s hub in Asia, hosting its sole manufacturing plant in the continent at Tuas Biomedical Park. Since its Asia entry, AbbVie has been attempting to promote women’s leadership in healthcare.
Peggy Wu, VP of AbbVie Asia, says the company is committed to gender equity and encouraging women leaders to find their voice and bring out the best in them.
Peggy Wu
She explains that AbbVie offers roles across different countries, giving employees regional and international opportunities that enhance their leadership skills and professional capabilities. “At AbbVie, having a diverse and inclusive culture is a business imperative. It is not only the right thing to do, but it also strengthens our ability to innovate and is crucial to our ability to deliver now and into the future,” adds Wu.
As of 2022, women hold 52 per cent of AbbVie’s director and manager positions globally. In AbbVie Asia, this figure is even greater, with more than 60 per cent of women in management roles.
The company’s women leaders in the Asia regional leadership team have diverse backgrounds from Taiwan, India, Korea, Singapore, China, Malaysia, and more.
Women’s leadership in the health sector
According to the World Health Organisation, women constitute about 70 per cent of the global healthcare workforce, yet hold only 25 per cent of senior roles. This disparity stems from systemic barriers such as gender bias, unequal education and career opportunities, and work-life balance challenges.
Gender bias manifests as discriminatory hiring, unequal pay, and limited advancement opportunities. Societal norms in some countries restrict women’s access to STEM education, and those who pursue healthcare careers face hurdles like lack of mentorship or exclusion from professional networks. The “glass ceiling” remains a significant obstacle for many qualified women.
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Women leaders in healthcare are crucial as they bring diverse perspectives and experiences, fostering innovative problem-solving and inclusive decision-making. They also serve as role models and mentors, promoting a culture of inclusivity and gender equality.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that hospitals with more women in leadership roles had significantly lower mortality and readmission rates. Another study published in the Harvard Business Review found that diverse teams were more innovative and better at problem-solving than homogenous teams. These findings underscore the importance of promoting women’s leadership in the healthcare sector.
The role of women leaders in healthcare goes beyond representation. Their diverse perspectives and experiences have a tangible impact on health outcomes and innovation.
Industries taking action
The need for women leaders in the health sector is gaining attention worldwide, and several Asian health companies are actively promoting women’s leadership. Startups and healthtech companies across Asia are trying to increase women’s representation in leadership roles and address gender disparities.
MyDoc, a telemedicine provider in Asia co-founded by Snehal Patel and Vas Metupalle, is another company working towards gender diversity and women’s leadership. The Singapore-based digital healthcare platform offers a comprehensive 24/7/365 healthcare platform that connects patients with doctors, pharmacies, diagnostic labs, and clinical-grade health trackers.
Another example is the medtech startup Janitri, based in India. Led by co-founder and CEO Arundhati Ganesh, Janitri is working to improve maternal and child health in low-resource settings. Janitri’s solutions address the urgent need for affordable and accessible healthcare for mothers and newborns.
The healthcare sector’s lack of female leaders is an ongoing issue needing collective action. The efforts of companies like MyDoc, Janitri, and AbbVie to promote women’s leadership are essential steps toward a more inclusive and equitable healthcare sector.
As healthcare continues to evolve, the insights of women leaders are paramount in driving transformative change and achieving better outcomes. By championing inclusivity and creating avenues for women to assume leadership roles, we are paving the way for a more equitable healthcare sector.
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