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Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi
MWIA President
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Greetings from the desk of the President and Happy New Year! What a truly busy and exciting last quarter we have had!
Exco meetings were held on 30th October and December 18th with Exco members taking key decisions on behalf of MWIA as outlined in this President’s report.
Committees have been launched and some Committees and Special Interest Groups (SIGs) have had their inaugural meetings in which I was able to participate. I am immensely grateful to you our dedicated MWIA members for offering to serve.
The first draft MWIA Strategic plan in alignment with the triennial theme One Humanity: Health Solutions through our Partnerships, and a budget have been drafted. I invite members to adapt the plan in order for it to be relevant in their different contexts.
Soon after attending the World Health Summit in Berlin, I travelled to Frankfurt and met with members of the German Medical Women’s Association on 19th October It was a beautiful reunion and the idea was born to start the Senior MWIA SIG.
I went on to Geneva and attended a conference on Cancer on 20th October.
Being in Geneva was also a great opportunity to meet with MWIA lawyers, Borel and Barbey and to deliver in person relevant documents for MWIA registration on 21st October. I am glad to report that we have made significant progress with the Swiss registration thanks to the collective effort of Exco members.
I met with the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and members of her team. This resulted in MWIA securing a slot on the WTO. I also met with officers of WHO and have subsequently attended virtual follow-up meetings. The MWIA Secretary General and I participated in the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) meetings to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
It was an honour for me to facilitate a diplomatic event on a new global norm to end violence against women and girls, hosted by the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva on 28th October
I am humbled to have been appointed Co - chair of the Immunization Agenda (IA) 2030 Partnership Council comprising members from WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, US CDC and the Gates Foundation.
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MWIA President with Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, Board member of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) at the World Cancer conference Geneva
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MWIA President with German Medical Association members in Frankfurt
October 2022
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16 days of activism was marked with a statement by me as your President, drafted by the MWIA VAWG Committee and published in the media http://www.paulukpabio.com.ng/2022/11/medical-womens-international.html
I was at the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) International Conference in London, 28 to 29 November 2022 where Governments agreed to urgently accelerate action to end conflict-related sexual violence, hold those responsible to account, shatter the existing culture of impunity, provide more comprehensive support to survivors, and tackle stigma. Speakers included Nobel laureates Nadia Murad and Dr Denis Mukwege.
Also, to mark 16 days, I was key-note speaker at the Widows for Peace through Democracy UK event.
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Facilitation of High-Level Panel at Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva. MWIA President with: Her Excellency Ambassador Shara Duncan Villalobos, Costa Rica, His Excellency Ambassador Paul Empole, DRC Madame Chantal Yelu Mulop, Special Advisor to the President of the Republic on Youth, Gender, and Violence against Women, DRC Her Excellency Reem Abu Hassan, former Minister of Social Development (Jordan) Ms Jane Aeberhard-Hodges, an expert on the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention No. 190 and former Director of ILO Gender, Equality and Diversity. Ms Najet Zammouri whose organization, the Tunisian Human Rights League, was a 2015 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
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At PSVI Conference in London with Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Prime Minister's Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
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I would like to thank the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria led by the President, Dr Adekemi Otolorin for the delightful Thanksgiving held in my honour.
By the time you receive this newsletter, the current Exco would have been in office for six months. Together we have achieved a great deal and our visibility is at an all-time high. We stand ready to enter into 2023 with the wind of passion and commitment beneath our wings
I wish you all a truly productive and prosperous 2023!
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Tribute to Dr. Margaret Maxwell
Past Vice President for the Western Pacific Region (1998-2001)
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It is with sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. Margaret Maxwell on 17 September 2022, one of our two individual members from New Zealand, at the age of 90 years. Dr. Margaret Maxwell was a very active and dedicated member of MWIA. She hosted a regional meeting in New Zealand several years ago and wrote a book about women doctors in New Zealand.
Margaret and I met at one of the International Congresses and we exchanged gifts as we traditionally do in MWIA. I still have and cherish an ornamental teaspoon with the New Zealand crest accompanied by a lovely personalised note from Margaret. She and I kept in touch through email.
Early this year when I shared the President’s New Year message Margaret responded to say “Often when an overseas country is mentioned in the news, my mind goes back to someone from that country whom I had met through MWIA”. In another communication she spoke fondly of the connections through MWIA “Recently I looked through some photo albums and realized how many places I was able to visit overseas - almost all as a result of connections through MWIA colleagues”.
In our last Exco meeting we observed a minute of silence in her honour.
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
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Dr. Amany Asfour
MWIA President Elect
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COP 27 Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
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I had the pleasure to meet with Dr Minnie Oseji, Immediate Past President of the Nigerian Medical Women’s Association on the margins of #COP27. I also had the pleasure to be on the panel at the High-Level Event on Women and Climate Justice and Gender Equality at Sharm El Sheikh in the presence of HE Hanan Morsy, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Economic Commission of Africa.
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Meeting with President of the Zambian Medical Women’s Association in Arusha, Tanzania
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African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Meeting in Zanzibar, Tanzania
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In Zanzibar, Tanzania attending the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN). I had the pleasure to be a panelist and spoke on Empowerment of Women, in the presence of the female Presidents of Tanzania and Ethiopia, the former President of Malawi and Gertrude Mongella, Secretary General of the Beijing Conference of Women.
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United Nations General Assembly New York USA
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Unstoppable Africa on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in the presence of SG of UN Antonio Guterres and Chairperson of African Union, Musa Faki, Sima Bahous Executive Director (ED) UN Women, organized by UN Global Compact under the leadership of Sanda Ojiambo SG UN Global Compact. I had the great pleasure to moderate the session of Business Unusual with great panelists - Nardos Bekele Thomas ED of African Union Development Agency (AUDA/NEPAD), Peter Bakker CEO World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Mark Malloch Brown President Open Society Foundation and Lysa John Berna SG CIVICUS. I spoke on Empowerment of Women and youth for realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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US Africa Leader's Summit Washington D.C USA
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In Washington D.C, USA, I had the great pleasure to attend the US Africa Leader's Summit and Business Forum. Addresses were given by HE President Biden of USA and HE President Macky Sall, President of Senegal and Chairperson of African Union, in the presence of more than 40 African Heads of States and Governments. I had the real pleasure to meet HE President Samia Suluhu, President of Tanzania during the Summit. I spoke at the High-Level Panel on the margins of the Summit about the role of the U.S Africa private sector collaboration towards increasing Investment and Trade in Africa and empowering the African Private Sector including SMEs, Women and Youth and focused on Investment in Health Care Industries.
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Dr. Eliza Lo Chin
Treasurer, MWIA
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Dear MWIA Member Associations,
I wanted to give you an update regarding the annual dues notice. We had intended to pursue credit card and PayPal as a means of paying member association dues, but unfortunately will need to wait for the MWIA registration to be complete before setting up those additional accounts. Therefore, MWIA dues for 2022-2023 will be conducted through wire transfers to the Canada TD bank. Your associations should be receiving their invoices before the end of the year along with instructions on how they can complete the wire transfer and upload documentation, which will likely occur in the new year. Due to wire fees, we hope that as many organizations as possible can pay for more than one year at a time, but we understand that there may be budgetary limitations.
Thank you as always for your support of MWIA.
Best,
Eliza Chin, MD, MPH
MWIA Treasurer 2022-2025
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Dr. Clarissa Fabre
MWIA Past President
Editorial Team Chair
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A very happy New Year to you all. It is an honour to be part of the Editorial Team, and many thanks for all your wonderful contributions. We are still feeling our way with the best format and your comments and suggestions are very welcome.
I am delighted to be in correspondence with members from all over the world, and I am in awe of all you are achieving in so many spheres. I wish you all the very best for 2023.
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Activities of MWIA and its Regions
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Dr. Elizabeth Lichtenstein
MWIA Regional Vice President for Northern Europe
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December is upon us and activities are slowly returning to normal after the pandemic. As I write this, we have yet another outburst of illness upon us and we are not sure what will happen next with face-to-face meetings and social life. We are all at once experiencing Flu, Covid and RS-virus.
Sweden has a new government as of October and steps reached earlier towards a feministic viewpoint are no longer prominent. The word gender has disappeared from statements and for example the situation of women caught in prostitution is unclear as to their rights and the possibility of being helped. We are back to blame-the-victim strategies with the far-right influences in the government.
In the Northern European region several countries have voiced concern over the last General Assembly as many matters were not discussed and several members experienced difficulties in casting their votes. This just shows how difficult it is to have a hybrid meeting when it comes to democracy issues and even though we spent the last two years meeting virtually we still have a lot to learn when it comes to how to perform a safe and open meeting when mixing hybrid and face-to-face meetings.
Europe is for the moment experiencing the worst crisis since WWII and we stand appalled and shocked as a European country is being slaughtered and women are once again being raped, abused and killed. These are atrocities that spread like waves on water. The effects of misogynistic politics are seen for example in Poland where raped Ukrainian women are denied abortions as they flee, in Germany as brothels are filled by traffickers recruiting women at the border.
What we really want to do now is to start meeting and working towards our goals. We need to develop our strategies and find partners to work with so that our planet becomes a safe place for all, including women and children, from all countries, without discrimination or injustice. A safe environment where we can live in peace without fear. Is that too much to wish for?
Please Santa Claus
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Dr. Edith Schratzberger-Vécsei
MWIA Regional Vice President for Central Europe
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2022 has been a difficult year for many people for many different reasons not only in our region. There is the war in the Ukraine, increasing poverty, and health systems being stretched beyond their limits by high numbers of infections. Not only Covid 19 but also influenza and RS-Virus have been a challenge in the last months, with many doctors on sick leave. The result is a constant work overload for those remaining at work (or coming back from sick leave). Many medical women in our region therefore had (another) tough year.
The current representative of MWIA in the European Women’s Lobby (EWL), Bettina Pfleiderer, is doing a wonderful job there. She is not only a member of the Executive but holds the position of vice president. The European Women’s Lobby is the largest umbrella organization representing women all over Europe. Its aim is to support women’s rights at a European level, thereby dealing with many problems and issues. It is an honor for MWIA to have our representative in this leading position at EWL.
The national associations of Austria, Switzerland and Germany have continued their regular exchanges, and have agreed to organize the second ‘Dreiländertagung’ of the German speaking countries together. This will be held in Vienna, on the 17/18 of November 2023.
Georgia thankfully has indicated its interest to host the next regional meeting for the Central European region. However, the war in Ukraine might make it difficult to travel for some in our region and there has been no date fixed yet.
At the end of the year, we can only hope that next year will bring peace and will give us all a chance to return to a post-pandemic normality.
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Dr. Concetta Laurentaci
MWIA Regional Vice President for Southern Europe
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Dear MWIA Colleagues,
As I have not received any update from the Belgian Association or from individual members in Southern Europe, I am transmitting a brief report on the activities carried out by the Italian Medical Women’s Association.
The last quarter of 2022 was marked by the many activities carried out by several provincial sections on the occasion of November 25, the day for combating violence against women. Numerous training and awareness-raising activities were implemented between 20 and 30 of November in several Italian cities (Parma, Vicenza, Pesaro, Rome, Enna, Lamezia and many others).
In addition, our Colleague, Dr. Irene Calesini, collaborated in the writing of the book "VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: History of a denied identity." This book is an agile knowledge and prevention tool aimed at young people, teachers, doctors and all those who want to understand more about the phenomenon that is "the most widespread violation of human rights" (UN). Violence is not a normal or original human characteristic, but the outcome of a cultural and historical bearing that acts on the individuality of those who perpetrate violence. The perpetrator is often the bearer of a personal, psychic, often latent condition of not complete sanity. The book discusses various forms of violence (physical, psychological, sexual, economic, through the web, stalking) and highlights the psychodynamic aspects of violence in the man-woman relationship, the role of culture, prevention, and signs to recognize and structures to turn to.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that we have scheduled the AIDM National Congress to be held on April 21, 2023 in Catania, Italy. The webinar for the Southern European area is entitled "Post-pandemic era: what directions for public health?". You will be able to view the program on the MWIA website and we hope you will participate in large numbers!
Best regards to all and I wish you a marvellous 2023 with MWIA!
Titti Laurentaci - VP Southern Europe of MWIA
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Dame Dr. Claribel Abam
MWIA Regional Vice President for Near East and Africa
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The first Near East and Africa regional meeting of the 2019-2022 triennium was held on 15th October 2022. Here are the highlights:
The meeting was attended by National Associations of Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mauritania (Individual member).
- Zambia was approved to host the next Regional Meeting on or before June 2024 (one year before the next MWIA Triennial)
- The next Regional Vice President (RVP) will come from Zambia in line with the existing agreement reached in 2000 in Abuja, Nigeria, that the hosting country should produce the next RVP.
- As much as possible, the rotation of hosting of the Regional Congress between the regional blocks (North, South, East, West Africa and the Near East) should continue.
- The plan to split the region into three should continue with efforts to raise more National Associations especially in the Near East and grow the membership in countries with individual members only at present.
- National Associations in the region should strive to weave programs and activities around the triennial theme and implement the resolutions of the congress that have action points.
- Collaboration for projects that can be done across countries in the region with development partners should be pursued.
- National Associations should make efforts to produce Reports and Articles for the MWIA Update publication on a regular basis to create visibility for the region.
- Members should apply for MWIA ad hoc and standing Committee membership and participate actively in the committees. National Associations should compile membership lists so spread can be guaranteed.
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Connie Newman
MWIA Regional Vice President for North America
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The North America Region wishes MWIA members health and happiness in the new year.
Please consider joining us at the MWIA North America Region Congress, to be held in conjunction with the AMWA Annual Meeting, March 23-26 2023 in Philadelphia USA.
And please mark your calendars for the Medical Women of Canada 100th anniversary meeting September 26-28, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada.
Thank you for all you do for women and women in medicine!
Connie B. Newman, MD, MACP, VP MWIA North America
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Dr. Nelci Zanon Collange
MWIA Regional Vice President for Latin America
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As the MWIA Vice President for the Latin America region, I am honoured to present the reports of ABMM (Associação Brasileira das Mulheres Médicas or Brazilian Medical Women’s Association) and PAMWA (Pan-American Medical Women’s Alliance).
Please kindly refer to the “report from Brazil” that outlines the academic and other recent activities of the region up until December 2022.
Merry Christmas and our best wishes to you all for a Peaceful, Harmonious and Collaborative New Year! Many Blessings to all MWIA families!
Nelci Zanon Collange
Latin American MWIA VP
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Dr. Bong Ok Kim
MWIA Regional Vice President for Western Pacific
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Greetings from the Western Pacific Region!
The last quarter of 2022 was the time for the AGM in 3 National Associations of the Western Pacific region.
The Philippine Medical Women’s Association held their 71st National Convention at the Marco Polo Hotel, Metro Manila along with webinars on November 11~12 with the main theme of “New Directions, New Opportunities in Current Health Situations Affecting Women’s Health.”
The Australian Federation of Medical Women held their Annual General Meeting successfully on Nov. 12. Drs. Kate Duncan and Desiree Yap were appointed as NCs for MWIA.
The Japan Medical Women’s Association celebrated its 120th Anniversary on December 11 as JMWA was founded in April, 1902. Members of JMWA played key roles in the foundation of MWIA in 1919.
Dr. Margaret Maxwell passed away on September 17 at the age of 90. She was an individual member from New Zealand and previously VP of this region. She wrote a book about female doctors in New Zealand.
Wishing all of the members of MWIA a healthy, happy and prosperous new year in 2023, the year of the rabbit.
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Reports from MWIA Representatives
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A challenging 2022 has come to an end and has shown the importance of being united and working together as a global network of women's NGOs in Europe and raising our voices. The European Women's Lobby (EWL) has been recognized as one of those voices representing a network of 2000 female NGOs in Europe and was therefore invited to organise a workshop at the Gender Equality Forum 2022, hosted by the European Institute for Gender Equality in Brussels (Belgium) in October 2022. The title of the workshop was "Loud and United! Feminist women's organisations resisting the backlash!" and this was led by the EWL Executive committee members.
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- The sixty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from 6th to 17th March 2023 in New York, United States. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to contribute to the session. Priority theme: Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Review theme: Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls (agreed conclusions of the sixty-second session).
- MWIA North American Region is planning a North American Regional Congress to be held March 23-26 2023 in Philadelphia, U.S. The Congress will be held jointly with the 108th American Medical Women’s Association Annual Meeting and will focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Leadership, Advocacy, and Innovation. For more information, please visit the website https://www.amwa-doc.org/amwa108/
- XLI AIDM National Congress “Fighting pain: multidisciplinary approaches and gender differences” will be held in Catania, Italy on April 21-22-23, 2023. The official language of the Congress will be Italian.
- MWIA Near East and Africa Regional Congress is scheduled on 15-18 April 2024 at the Radisson Hotel, Livingstone, Zambia. TTheme of the Congress: “Upscaling Health Equity through Partnership, Innovation and Research”. For more information, please contact: mwaz.zambia@gmail.com
- The Federation of Medical Women of Canada will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary on September 26, 27 and 28, 2024 in Ottawa, so please mark your calendars.
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The PUSH Women Award for service to the community in the medical field was awarded to Dr. Cheswa Vwalika – President of the Medical Women’s Association of Zambia.
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Fig. 1: The PUSH Women Award for service to the community in the medical field to Dr. Cheswa Vwalika (MWAZ President)
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MWIA Executive 2022-2025
President: Dr. Eleanor Ann Nwadinobi
President Elect: Dr. Amany Asfour
Secretary General: Dr. Mariam Jashi
Treasurer: Dr. Eliza Lo Chin
Regional Vice Presidents
Central Europe: Dr. Edith Schratzberger-Vécsei (Austria)
Northern Europe: Dr. Elizabeth Lorraine-Lichtenstein (Sweden)
Southern Europe: Dr. Concetta Laurentaci (Italy)
North America: Dr. Connie Newman (USA)
Latin America: Dr. Nelci Zanon Collange (Brazil)
Near East & Africa: Dr. Claribel Abam (Nigeria)
Central Asia: Dr. Darunee Buddhari (Thailand)
Western Pacific: Dr. Bong Ok Kim (Republic of Korea)
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