Advancing Women's Health Equity
Through global research, collaboration and community engagement.
About GWHEN
The Global Women's Health Equity Network (GWHEN) is an international research and collaboration network dedicated to advancing women's health equity. We bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, communities and policymakers to address health inequalities and inequities, strengthen inclusive research and influence policy and practice.
Our Approach
We champion an intersectional and inclusive approach to women's health research, recognising how ethnicity, socioeconomic circumstances and other factors shape women's experiences of healthcare, access to services and health outcomes.
Through meaningful community engagement, international partnerships and knowledge exchange, we aim to ensure that under-represented voices inform research, policy and practice.
Our Founder
Dr Natalie Darko
Founder and Director, Global Women's Health Equity Network
Dr Natalie Darko is Associate Professor of Health Equity at the University of Leicester, with expertise in health inequalities, intersectionality, inclusive research and international collaboration.
She holds strategic health inclusion leadership roles across the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Clinical Research Facility and Commercial Research Delivery Centre, and is Equity Lead for the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health. She is also a Senior Honorary Research Fellow at the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre.
Her research and leadership span women's health, cancer inequalities, maternal health, long-term conditions, community engagement and policy influence. She leads SISTAH, a Wellcome Accelerator-supported programme examining minority women's awareness and experiences of breast and gynaecological cancers.
Building on this work, Natalie founded GWHEN to strengthen international research partnerships, connect academic and community expertise, and advance more equitable research, healthcare and health outcomes for women globally.
Our Vision
A world where all women, regardless of their race, ethnicity, background or circumstances, have equitable access to healthcare and opportunities to achieve the best possible health outcomes.
Through inclusive research and meaningful community engagement, GWHEN aims to understand and address health inequalities and inequities, challenge structural barriers, and influence research, policy and practice..
Research & Collaboration
GWHEN brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, communities and policymakers to address women's health inequalities and inequities through research, international collaboration and community engagement
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