— Our bodies, our lives, our NHS —
Our Vision
To strive for equality and justice by eliminating the gender health gap in the NHS, paving the way for a more efficient health care system for women.
Our Background
In the same way that the gender gap affects our work, pay packets and relationships, it also negatively impacts our health. A recent study revealed that, even though women in the UK have a higher life expectancy than men, on average, women can expect to spend a lesser proportion of their lives free from long-term illness or disability compared with men. This is especially true for those who live below the poverty line; poverty damages health and poor health increases the risk of poverty.
Mika Simmons and Nimco Ali OBE, have come together to lead a group of 13 women, with the support of reproductive health expert Professor Dr Geeta Nargund, to help revolutionise the women’s health care system in the UK. Our collaborative catalyst of women is dedicated to diminishing the gender health gap within our NHS for women of all intersections.
Our Strategy
The Department of Health & Social Care is committed to working towards a strategy to close the gender health gap for all women, in all demographics. Our mission is to work alongside the UK Government, and positively engage the Department of Health on topics related to women’s health care.
The key list of priority areas to be addressed are as follows:
- Analysis of Data - Ensuring that how data regarding women’s health is collected crosses cultures, demographics and ages, to ensure the very highest level of understanding regarding how best to close the gender health gap and transform female health care in the UK.
- Prevention & Protection - Remap pathways to enable earlier and more accurate diagnostics, leading ultimately, to a medical system that focuses on prevention and protection. Ideally the first area to be addressed is Reproductive and Gynecological health. Key here is that improved pathways will reduce significant costs to the NHS in the long-term.
- Public Education - Empowering women to know their bodies better and understand their hormonal health - both menstrual cycles and reproductive health - so they are more informed when asking for help from the NHS. We recommend improved modules on menstrual health, sexual health and the introduction of “fertility education” in the secondary school curriculum.
Our Ethos
“ Fight for the things that you care about
but do so in a way that will
lead others to join you. ”
Ginsburg Women’s Health Board objectives derive from a place of inclusivity; sharing knowledge, experience and constructive criticism as equal active members.
We are the future, but we are also the now.
We are the sole owners of our bodies and our lives.
We are building and shaping our communities to become more inclusive and non-discriminatory.
We demand our sexual and reproductive health and rights. We are - speaking out, taking the space and reclaiming our fundamental right to be treated as equals, and we will continue to do so until our demands are met.
We want nothing for us, without us.
Mika Simmons | Nimco Ali OBE