Activites of MWIA and its Regions
Edition 2, 2021
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I congratulate us all, MWIA members around the world, for the solidarity and courage we demonstrated in the face of the recent crisis.
MWIA members stood by India at the peak of the of COVID-19 crisis compounded by Black fungus. In representation, a donation was made, accompanied by an official letter of support. Well done also to other individual members who supported in one way or another.
I was celebrated at the Near East & Africa Congress held in Abuja, in April. I thank especially Dr Christine Sadia host Regional Vice President, Dr Minnie Oseji, host National President and Dr Claribel Abam, Chair of LOC for giving me an award of honour and Dr Adebiyi who put together a celebratory video.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iJ48Brlq7OPnjBIR8HxfJHXC8izzDQ7S/view?usp=sharing
As part of the commemoration of World Malaria day and I was interviewed on NTA Television International.
https://spark.adobe.com/video/6NBA2KoWGx2CY
I represented MWIA as an observer in the special session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption on the preparations for the special session of the General Assembly (UNGASS), held on 7 May.
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Addressing abuse against women on May 18th with Samira Ghosh and Ellen O'Malley Dunlop
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Congratulations to the Mentoring and Leadership Special Interest Group and for their kind invitation to me as President of MWIA to give an opening address on the 14th of May at their webinar. It was well attended and I look forward to the Committee instituting a webinar series with diverse speakers.
I made a presentation on Wednesday, May 19, at the UNODC/Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at it 30th Session Addressing Gender in Preventing Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Africa. Co Presenters on my panel were Ms. Ghada Waly -Under Secretary General, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ambassador Ehab Fawzi and others.
https://www.unodc.org/documents/commissions/CCPCJ/CCPCJ_Sessions/CCPCJ_30/21-02680_CCPCJ_Programme_ebook.pdf
On the 22nd of May, I was invited by the Medical Association of Panama (ASOMEPA), IV Virtual Academic Congress and the Scientific Program of the Pan American Alliance of Medica, Panama Chapter.
I had the honour of leading the MWIA delegation to the virtual World Health Assembly. My thanks go to Exco, WHO Special Interest Group and all MWIA members who attended.
June 23rd marked the10th anniversary of International Widows Day and I was invited as a conference presenter by the Loomba Foundation. In attendance were Lord Loomba, Cherie Blair who was the keynote speaker and others.
I was interviewed by The Lily – a publication of the Washington Post focused on women’s issues in the run up to the UN Women Generation Equality Forum which will take place in France: https://www.thelily.com/
I am really looking forward to participating in the upcoming regional Congresses. Our triennial Congress is only a year away in Taiwan and I am praying that we can meet in person.
Warmly,
Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi
President
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Presentation @UNODC/Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
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Secretary General's Message
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Dear Colleagues,
as we approach the end of June in 2021, I feel that this is a time of reflection. Leaders are women (and men) are those who have helped and provided encouragement in the times of crisis by putting the needs of others over their health and wellbeing and so it is befitting that the WHO has declared this year as Year of Health and Care Workers 2021 in recognition of the leadership demonstrated by our fraternity. A lot of us have lost family, friends, and colleagues to the COVID crisis, which after more than 18 months continues in its relentless onslaught in global communities. Yes, we have vaccines - but unfortunately the distribution and access to vaccines continues to be challenging. It is ironic that during these times of crisis instead of coming together as a global community there has be increased acts of violence and hatred against each other. Technology should be used for progress and not for war fare. Unfortunately, COVID has not only shaken the core of human existence and threatened our survival, but also has resulted in slowing down the progress of the global community reaching the targets of the 17 SDG goals by 2030.The incidence of violence against women and the girl child has increased considerably during COVID.
On a positive note, I would like to highlight the power of partnerships in making a difference. AMWA has partnered with American and global colleagues, private and public sector. In raising funds to send oxygen concentrators to India, I am privileged to have been one of the team leaders in this effort.
Thank you for all you do for your communities, stay safe!
In Health and Human Rights
Dr Padmini Murthy
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Oxygen concentrators shipped to India
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The FedEx plane which transported the concentrators from New York to India
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Firstly, I hope that everyone reading this has been vaccinated against COVID or will be shortly. We are still not fully out of Lockdown in the UK and have restrictions at least until mid July. In Paediatrics we are planning for an avalanche of respiratory infections such as respiratory syncytial virus amongst others. Last year our numbers were so low and now children are mixing again; we have been told to prepare for the worst including contingency plans for being overwhelmed and needing help from adult colleagues.
Thank you to all counties who have paid their 2020-21 dues and in some cases 2019-20 as well. Just to confirm that non-payment of the annual subscription within 12 months of the due date results in suspension of membership according to the MWIA statutes and bylaws. Only members in good standing are eligible to hold executive positions, run for office or serve on committees. If there are issues with payment of dues that you need to discuss then I cannot emphasize enough to please contact me and I can explain the situation to Exco. When sending payment please let myself and Dr Padmini Murthy, our Secretary General know along with any receipts that you have. We have only paper bank statements which come out around the 5th of every month so there will be a delay in sending out an official receipt until I can check the bank statements.
It is good that MWIA meetings have continued by Zoom. There are a number of upcoming meetings. It will however be lovely if we can all meet face to face in Taiwan. I will be sending out due notices for 2022-2022 in July. If your association has changed their President, Treasurer, Secretary or MWIA co-ordinator please can you let me know so that the email goes to the correct person.
Please do contact me on helengoodyear@btconnect.com for any treasurer issues.
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The last three months were very busy. I attend several meeting on behalf of MWIA; I want just to highlight two.
I was an invited speaker at the IV Virtual Academic Congress of the Panama Medical Association and Scientific Program of the Pan American Alliance of Medical Subsidiar representing MWIA. The congress theme was “Facing The New Challenges of Health Through creative and Innovative Management“ and was being held from May 21- 23th 2021. I spoke on sex and gender aspects in medicine with a focus on maternal health during COVID-19 in Europe. It was a very informative and stimulating meeting.
I was also attending the MWIA Central European Regional online meeting held on May 29,2021. I was co-organizing a workshop together with MWIA´s VP for Central Europe, Dr Edith Schratzberger-Vecsei, on the chances and challenges of working together during COVID-19. We are deeply indebted to the German Medical Women´s Association who so graciously hosted us and provided the logistic framework.
Also, the central European business meeting was successfully conducted. It was wonderful to meet up with so many familiar faces of MWIA members from the Central European Region: Germany, Austria, Georgia, Russia. At the business meeting it was also decided to organize regional online meetings on a regular base in the format of an "Afternoon tea hour” in the future to stay more closely in touch; the first Saturday afternoon chat will be at July 17th 2021 hosted by MWIA Past President Bettina Pfleiderer.
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Speaking at the IV Virtual Academic Congress of the Panama Medical Association
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Second, I am editing the MWIA website (www.mwia.net) continuously being part of MWIA´s web team and worked on the MWIA newsletter, as well on our new E-MWIA activity update being published every 3 months.
Last, but not least, the MWIA finance committee -I am chairing -drafted guidelines of various MWIA funds. The descriptions of the funds can be found here: https://mwia.net/about-us/mwia-funds/
For a pilot phase (1st July 2021- 31st May 2022), a MWIA awards committee will be installed to assess the various fund applications and to recommend to the MWIA Exco what to fund. Most funds have no deadline and one can apply for them any time, however the Waltraud-Diekhaus-Fund (https://mwia.net/about-us/mwia-funds/waltraud-diekhaus-fund/) and the LoveJoy/Jubilee Fellowship (https://mwia.net/about-us/mwia-funds/lovejoy-jubilee-fellowship/) have as deadline October 1, 2021.
We are looking forward to your applications!
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MWIA Central European online business meeting May 2021
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Activities of MWIA and its Regions
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The Cameroon Medical Women Association created in 1991 is currently involved in preparation of its 30 anniversary planned for November 2021.
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Medical Women Association of Ghana report by Dr Marion Okoh-Owusu, National President.
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Kenya medical Women's Association was established in 1983 as an affiliate of MWIA. Its exists to champion the health of women, girls and the vulnerable.
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The Medical Women's Association of Nigeria has had the opportunity to host the MWIA Near East and Africa Regional Congress in March 2021 allowing for growth of members and interaction among participants, ultimately improving the lives of women and children. Not only have we spoken about many projects in the last 3 months but we have acted, thereby living the motto of MWIA Healing with the Love of a mother.
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The Association of Uganda Women Medical Doctors (AUWMD) is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) established in 1987 with the purpose of improving the health status of the population of Uganda, especially the Women, Children and Adolescents. AUWMD continues to impact Ugandan communities through advocacy for women’s and children’s health rights, and through capacity building for its members.
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Progress Report from FMW Canada.
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2021 2nd Report on the activities of the American Medical Women's Association.
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Dia Dhaoibh - Hello from Ireland!
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Swedish Medical Women´s report for Spring 2021.
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AFMW continues to advocate for women's health and climate change issues affecting women's health. Meetings by zoom.
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Report from Republic of Korea
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1. Female doctors advance to KMA executive officers in large numbers than before. 2. The Korean Medical Women's Association Awards Ceremony for 2021 was held. 3. News from Kim Bong-ok, past president of the KMWA.
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The Taiwan medical woman association (TMWA) holds its annual congress every December. The latest one was in December, themed “Challenges and Chances for Medical women”, in which the council members and auditors were renewed and Prof. Chyong-Heuy Lai was elected as the new president (2020/12-2023/12).
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1) The 66th Annual Meeting was held online on May 16, 2021. 2) "We have to stop the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. Relay Talk by Women”.
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Reports from MWIA Representatives
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MWIA Representative to the EWL
Representative: Prof. Dr. Dr. Bettina Pfleiderer
Prof. Dr. Dr. Bettina Pfleiderer, MWIA Past President and Dr. Elizabeth Lichtenstein, MWIA VP Northern Europe attended the European Women’s Lobby annual General Assembly from 4-7 June 2021. Due two COVID-19, it was held virtually. Over 130 delegates, representing EWL’s 48 full member organisations (https://womenlobby.org/Our-membership?lang=en) and our supporting member organisations (https://womenlobby.org/Our-membership?lang=en) discussed strategies for 2022, as well as EWL´s work programme. This little video summarizes in a nutshell how we work during the pandemic: https://twitter.com/i/status/1401119194586943489
EWL´s focus in 2022 will be on:
- the implementation and monitoring of commitments in the EU Strategy on Gender Equality, gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting
- developing recommendations and advocating for a “Care Deal for Europe”
- continue advocating for a comprehensive legal framework on violence against women and girls, including sexual exploitation and online violence.
Bettina Pfleiderer, as member of the EWL’s Membership Committee, presented their proposal for EWL’s next membership fee policy, which will be further optimized and after approval piloted in the next 12 months.
This year, a new Board of Administration for the years 2021-2023 was elected and MWIA is one of the 39 new board members (29 national coordinations and 10 European-wide organizations). Bettina Pfleiderer was re-elected as MWIA- representative on the EWL board; she is serving on the EWL board since 2018 and Dr. Elizabeth Lichtenstein is her alternate.
Bettina Pfleiderer was not only elected as new member of the EWL Executive Committee 2021-2023 with 93% of all votes, but that she was also elected as one of the two new EWL Vice-presidents by the EWL Executive Committee (https://womenlobby.org/EWL-elects-new-Board-Executive-Committee-and-President?lang=en). She will do her best to represent MWIA well.
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Screenshot of the first EWL Exco meeting after the election June 7th, 2021
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Keep updated with upcoming events in the MWIA Calendar listed on our website.
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MWIA Executive 2019-22
President: Dr Eleanor Ann Nwadinobi
Secretary - General: Prof Dr. Padmini Murthy
Treasurer: Dr. Helen Goodyear
Past President: Prof Dr. Bettina Pfleiderer
Regional Vice Presidents
Central Europe: Dr. Edith Vecsei (Austria)
Northern Europe: Dr. Elisabeth Lichtenstein (Sweden)
Southern Europe: Dr. Antonella Vezzani (Italy)
North America: Dr. Vivien Brown (Canada)
Latin America: Prof Dr. Magda Maria Sales Carneiro Sampaio (Brazil)
Near East & Africa: Dr. Christine Sadia (Kenya)
Central Asia: Dr. Mandakini Megh (India)
Western Pacific: Dr. Desiree Yap (Australia)
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