Happy International Women’s day 2021 to all women around the world .
We commemorate the day under the theme “Women in leadership :achieving an equal future in the COVID-19 world “ and the campaign theme #choosetochallenge .
I raise my hand boldly to challenge the obnoxious and obscene acts of criminality and cruelty in the form of feminide, violence against women and girls including sexual violence, harmful traditional practices and kidnappings
I choose to celebrate the increasing number of women in leadership across the world as Presidents, Prime Ministers , Executive directors, Heads of corporations etc who have broken the glass ceiling and our role models for young girls.
I choose to challenge the status quo in areas where there are barriers and hindrances to women rising to positions of leadership.
In order to achieve an equal future in a COVID-19 world, the resilience, ingenuity and creativity of women must be recognized as a blueprint for building back better.
In a post COVID-19 world. let us borrow this tried and tested template from women as we plan for a world of equality and human flourishing for women alongside men.
I salute and celebrate my medical women colleagues and the army of healthcare professionals around the world who continue to fight in the frontlines of the Covid-19 battles.
Excelsior!
Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi
Magdalena is the President of the AFMW (2020-) and former President of VMWS (2013 & 2017-2020), National Coordinator AFMW, MWIA Scientific and Research Subcommittee co-Chair, MWIA Mentoring and Leadership, Special Interest Group, Chair
Magdalena’s deep engagements with the RACGP over many years includes chair of Women in General Practice, is currently on the RACGP Expert Committee Quality Care, prior to that on RACGP eHealth Expert Committee. She is a regular media spokesperson on numerous health issues, being interviewed most weeks by mainstream and medical media. Magdalena has represented the RACGP at senate enquiries and has worked on several National Health Framework reviews.
Both an RACGP examiner and University examiner she supervises medical students and undertakes general practice research. Roles outside of RACGP include the Strategy and Policy Committee for Breast Cancer Network Australia, Board Director of Women’s Health Victoria and Chair of their Strategy and Policy subcommittee and the AMA Victoria GP Network Committee.
Magdalena has presented at the United Nations as part of the Australian Assembly and was recently appointed the Australian representative to the World Health Organisation, World Assembly on COVID 19, by the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA).
A/Professor Simonis is currently a member of the National COVID-19 Taskforce expert committee, and Chair of the MWIA Mentoring and Leadership Special Interest Group.