WHO and Kuwaiti women leaders unite for better health outcomes

• Dr. Hanan Balkhy, the Regional Director of the WHO praised Kuwait’s progress in supporting women, saying that “I had the privilege of meeting truly inspirational women from Kuwait who have made significant contributions in many fields. It was great to see their leadership and passion in playing major roles for the betterment of their community.”

By Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait

The World Health Organization (WHO) office in Kuwait hosted a roundtable with Regional Director Dr. HananBalkhy and women leaders from across Kuwait to discuss women’s vital role in advancing health outcomes. This session was part of Dr. Balkhy’s visit, aimed at strengthening cross-sectoral partnerships for health and well-being.

The event, held at the UN House, included discussions on strengthening mentorship programs to nurture female health leaders, enhancing opportunities for women in scientific research, and promoting regional and international collaboration on gender health issues. It also highlighted Kuwait’s achievements in empowering women and their contributions to health, education, and innovation, as well as their active participation in leadership roles.

In an exclusive statement, Dr. Balkhi praised Kuwait’s progress in supporting women, saying that “I had the privilege of meeting truly inspirational women from Kuwait who have made significant contributions in many fields. It was great to see their leadership and passion in playing major roles for the betterment of their community.”

“Kuwait has always been on the right path when it comes to women’s leadership”

“Kuwait has always been on the right path when it comes to women’s leadership, and they have done remarkable work in paving the way for women in the region. I look forward to working with them in even more robust partnerships in the future. The World Health Organization has important initiatives focused on the well-being of every human, and therefore, the well-being of women. There is a huge opportunity to capitalize on partnerships within the diverse talents that exist in Kuwait,” added Dr. Balkhi.

“Kuwait has made progress in empowering female leaders”

For his part, WHO Representative in Kuwait Dr. Assad Hafeez emphasized the progress Kuwait has made in empowering female leaders, stating: “Women are critical to achieving Kuwait’s health goals and sustainable development.”

He further elaborated, “We are very pleased to see the outstanding work these women are leading in Kuwait. We discussed various options for collaboration and ways to synergize our efforts both within Kuwait and the region. We also deliberated on how WHO can support their work, and we hope this meeting will yield very positive results.”

Improving women’s health and enhancing their well-being

Moreover, he stated, “This year places an emphasis on women’s health, and many factors affecting their overall well-being extend beyond the health sector—such as women’s independence, self-care, opportunities, and career options—all of which influence their health. These topics were also discussed today, and we hope that through ongoing engagement, we can not only improve women’s health but also enhance their overall well-being.”

Prioritizing women’s health

Women’s health is not just a women’s issue; it is a global health and development priority and the foundation of strong families, communities, and thriving economies. Women face unique mental, emotional, and physical health challenges that require greater attention.

Prioritizing women’s health and ensuring access to adequate healthcare not only benefits individuals but also shapes the future of societies, empowering women to reach their full potential—because when women thrive, the world thrives.