“As a woman who wears many hats – a wife, a mother and a health-care worker – I try to achieve a healthy work–life balance, promoting positivity and problem-solving at work, selflessly assisting families in rural areas to access quality health-care services, while also dedicating time to my family,” explains Liljana Ivanovska, a community nurse from North Macedonia.
Liljana has been working in urban and rural areas for over 2 decades now. We recently spoke to her about her experience in the health and care workforce and the challenges she faces as a woman in the health sector.
Women drive health care
“In the service where I work, only women are employed,” explains Liljana.
With women comprising 78% of the health workforce in the WHO European Region, it is important that they have a role in making decisions around working conditions that ensure they can continue to provide essential health-care services and promote positive health outcomes for individuals and communities.
According to Liljana, to support women in the health workforce, it is essential to provide flexible working hours, particularly for young mothers, to allow them to breastfeed and spend time with their children.
Gender inequality and pay gaps persist
Despite their incredible contributions to the health sector and key role in saving lives every day, women often face challenges, including unequal pay and limited career advancement. Currently, women in the health-care sector only hold 25% of senior roles and earn 24% less than men, facing a larger pay gap than in other sectors.
Addressing these pay gaps in the health-care sector is critical not only for promoting fair compensation for health-care workers, but also for ensuring financial security and stability. Liljana highlights the importance of providing financial protection for those who need it and ensuring that everyone everywhere has access to quality health-care services.
Gender inequality in the health workforce goes beyond salary and pay. The high incidence of informal or insecure forms of work in the sector and the constant juggling of professional responsibilities and domestic (unpaid) care contribute to the poor quality of working conditions.
“It is necessary to provide support to women, not only in terms of work. We all need to think deeply and understand their needs and recognize their contribution to unpaid domestic work,” says Liljana.
Supporting women at home
Liljana also explains how promoting a more equal division of responsibilities within families is essential to empower women.
“Unfortunately, many women still occupy a subordinate position in relation to men in their family, which is also reflected in the workplace. This could be addressed through greater equity in the division of responsibilities in the family. I have observed during my work in the field that young families are increasingly sharing responsibilities at home and supporting those who live alone, separated from their extended family. This shift in attitudes among younger generations brings me great joy and optimism for the future.”