By Iyemah David
The Federal Government of Nigeria in collaboration with City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), has launched the second cohort of its Leadership Programme to tackle gender disparities in healthcare, with a specific focus on oncology.
Regional Director for Africa & Europe at C/Can, Mrs Sophie Bussmann-Kemdjo, said the initiative, hosted on Wednesday in Abuja, aimed to empower mid-career women to assume leadership roles and drive improvements in cancer care policies and clinical practices.
She explained that the programme responded directly to the findings of The Lancet Commission on Gender, Sex, and Women, which called for urgent action to close gender gaps in healthcare leadership.
“While women make up over 70 per cent of the global healthcare workforce, they hold just 25 per cent of leadership positions, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“This programme is a testament to our commitment to bridging that gap and creating an environment where women in oncology can flourish.
“The programme provides mentorship and tailored training to help women build the leadership skills and confidence needed to drive change,” she said.
Mrs Bussmann-Kemdjo said the leadership programme, supported by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), which contributed to content development, also ensured the incorporation of cultural nuances into the training.
“This cohort includes nine women from cities such as Nairobi, Kumasi, Arequipa, and Abuja.
“Participants will undergo a two-year programme with a combination of virtual sessions, leadership role-play, and mentorship,” Bussmann-Kemdjo said.
She noted that the programme’s ripple effect was expected to inspire more women to enter the oncology field, mentor others, and influence policies through a gender-sensitive lens.
“This isn’t just about leadership training. It’s about creating inclusive patient care systems that reflect the voices of all genders,” she added.
Bussmann-Kemdjo said that, with collaboration from the Federal Ministry of Health and support from international partners, the programme would help create a generation of women leaders who would transform cancer care in Nigeria and beyond.
National Cancer Control and Nuclear Medicine Programme at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Uchechukwu Nwokwu emphasised that hosting the programme in Abuja was a significant milestone.
He highlighted Nigeria’s progress in addressing gender inequality in oncology.
“Nigeria is making strides in advancing women’s leadership in cancer care.
“Programmes like the Cancer Health Fund, which offers free treatment for breast and cervical cancer, along with our focus on gender-sensitive policies, reflect our commitment to improving outcomes for women,” he said.
Dr Ladi Hameed, Country General Manager at Roche Nigeria, expressed the importance of global collaboration to achieve sustainable cancer care systems.
“Our goal is to ensure that cancer outcomes in Nigeria match those of developed countries.
“Supporting women’s leadership in oncology is a vital step toward achieving this,” Hameed said.
According to the Women, Power, and Cancer: Lancet Commission, the dominance of patriarchy in cancer care, research, and policymaking often determines what is prioritised, funded, and studied.
This has led to the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within the oncology workforce.
This gender imbalance negatively impacts the career trajectories of oncologists, nurses, and allied health professionals.
Addressing the complexities of global cancer control, spanning policy, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, requires valuing diversity to create innovative, context-specific solutions through multidisciplinary teams.
The report emphasises that broad representation of women in leadership roles at every level is crucial for achieving gender equity and equality within the health workforce.
Overcoming barriers like the glass ceiling and leaky pipeline is vital for promoting gender equity, transforming organisational cultures, and retaining diverse talent.
Including women in leadership and policy decision-making is key to building gender-responsive health systems for cancer care.
