Empowerment: How women are shaping the future of the veterinary workforce

IWD 2025 theme – for ALL Women and Girls : Rights. Equality. Empowerment

Imagine a world where every woman, regardless of her background or circumstances, has the same opportunities to thrive in her chosen profession. A world where gender equality isn’t just a buzzword, but a lived reality. This is the vision of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, themed “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”.

At the heart of the Veterinary Services, this vision takes on a special significance. Here, women are not just caregivers, but also leaders, innovators, and agents of change. Yet, their path is often riddled with obstacles, from unequal pay to gender-based discrimination among many other barriers.

Voices from the field

“I’ve always been passionate about animals,” shares Dr. Aisha, a senior veterinarian in Nigeria. “But when I started, I was often dismissed or underestimated. It wasn’t just about proving my skills but also navigating through cultural norms that favored male authority.” Dr. Aisha’s experience isn’t unique.

Across the continent, women in Veterinary Services face challenges that go beyond their technical expertise. The Africa Continental Conference: Towards a more resilient veterinary workforce for Africa 2024, highlighted issues like unequal access to education, gender-based violence, and the juggling act of work-life balance.

“We need more women in decision-making roles,” asserts Dr. Emily, a seasoned veterinarian and advocate for gender equality. “Our perspectives bring a different dimension to animal welfare and policymaking. It’s about time we break the glass ceiling.”

Charting a way forward: recommendations from the Africa Continental Conference

The Africa Continental Conference on workforce development 2024, recommends a comprehensive approach to attaining gender equality in the veterinary workforce. This includes guaranteeing equal access and opportunity for women in education, employment, and leadership positions. This includes strengthening institutional frameworks by designating gender focal points and adopting inclusive policies, reforming veterinary education with gender-responsive curricula, and putting in place measures like quotas and equal pay to address systematic disparities. Furthermore, the guidelines advocate for safe and supportive environments by addressing gender-based violence and discrimination, encouraging cultural transformations through male allyship, and cultivating inclusive professional cultures through mentorship and networking opportunities.

To ensure sustainable change and impactful service delivery, the recommendations also highlight the importance of data-driven strategies and community engagement. This includes implementing gender-disaggregated data collecting for targeted service delivery to both male and female livestock keepers, campaigning for legislation that requires sex-disaggregated farmer registration, and designing animal health services based on user needs. Capacity building for gender experts, integrated mentorship programs, and the promotion of inclusive digital technologies are viewed as critical to empowering women and increasing their representation in leadership. Ultimately, the goal is to build a veterinary sector that is not only equitable but also responsive to the diverse needs of the communities it serves.

From policy to practice, empowerment in action

But how do these recommendations translate into real change? Here are some concrete examples:

• Mentorship programmes: Pairing young women with experienced veterinarians who can guide them through their careers.
• Gender-sensitive policies: Creating family-friendly workplaces with flexible hours and childcare support.
• Awareness campaigns: Challenging stereotypes and biases through social media and educational initiatives.
• Integrating gender into veterinary education: Ensuring that curricula and teaching methods are inclusive and address the specific needs of women.
• Scholarships and grants: Providing financial support for women pursuing veterinary education, particularly in underserved communities.
• Leadership training: Equipping young women with the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles in the veterinary field.
• Safe spaces: Creating environments where young women feel comfortable sharing their experiences and concerns without fear of judgment or reprisal.
• Celebrating women’s achievements: Highlighting the contributions of women in the field to inspire future generations and challenge the notion that veterinary medicine is a male-dominated profession.

The ripple effect

When women are empowered in the veterinary workforce, the benefits extend far beyond individual success stories. Gender-inclusive veterinary services lead to:

• Improved animal health outcomes: Women’s active participation in early disease detection and reporting can enhance disease surveillance and control.
• Stronger communities: Women play a crucial role in livestock management, ensuring food security and economic stability for their families.
• A more equitable society: Gender equality in the veterinary profession sets an example for other sectors to follow, promoting fairness and opportunity for all.

Finally, supporting organizations dedicated to empowering women in the veterinary field through funding ensures that critical resources are available to drive meaningful progress.