Studies have shown that women are at a greater risk of contracting Coronavirus and suffer greater long term effects of the virus. Women make up 70% of the world’s healthcare workers, making women more susceptible to the disease. But that hasn’t stopped the millions of women on the frontline of the virus, protecting us, educating us and leading us. We’ve compiled a list of 5 courageous and inspirational female leaders at the forefront of COVID-19.
Tsai Ing-Wen
Taiwan’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic has been praised worldwide, this can be attributed to the leadership of Tsai Ing-Wen, President of Taiwan. From the moment she heard of the mystery virus back in early January, Ing-Wen implemented 124 measures which would save Taiwan from catastrophe. Despite the geographical proximity to China and the high population density of the small island country, Taiwan has so far totalled 6 deaths. Now many countries such as New Zealand and Israel are following Ing-Wen’s techniques of fast, decisive actions. However, Tsai Ing-Wen’s humanitarian strategies go past her own country with the formation of the #TaiwanCanHelp, in which the Taiwanese government has donated millions of face masks and medical supplies to the US, Europe and ally countries. Ing-Wen’s leadership is nothing short of inspirational, not only managing to calmly lead her country in a time of unprecedented crisis but to extend generosity and compassion to other countries in need.
Simone Garske
Simone Garske has over 20 years of experience working in non-for profit and higher education sectors and currently holds the position of CEO for the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital (RBWH). Garske is also a certified fundraising executive, enabling her to lead the RBWH foundation’s Coronavirus Action Fund which to this day has raised over 3.2 million dollars. These funds are being directed towards medical research, preventative and mental health projects, medical research grants and RBWH hospital staff support. Under her leadership, at the beginning of April drug trials began at the RBWH. It is Garske’s tenacity in securing funding that serves as the beginning of significant medical research, that may well go on to become the cure for COVID-19.
Shivangi Thakur
Shivangi Thakur is a Mumbai based journalist and news anchor, highly recognised for her reporting on #MeToo, the Mumbai rains and more recently, the COVID-19 crisis. For female journalists in India, it’s a whole other playing field. During the pandemic, women have been left with the responsibility for providing their own PPE and transport and have suffered severe pay cuts. Furthermore, the demand for reports on the virus is increasing, meaning that if female journos want to keep their jobs, they must take the risk of moving around a densely-populated city and continue reporting, sacrificing their own wellbeing. Last week while on the job, Thakur tested positive for COVID-19 which forced her into isolation, yet continues to show incredible determination in overcoming the virus, and getting back out into the field.
Professor Katherine Kedzierska
As Laboratory head professor at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Professor Kedzierska is a notable female leader in Coronavirus research. She leads a team conducting research into the effect of coronavirus on the immune system and how the body responds to the virus. Professor Kedzierska believes that her study is an “important step in understanding how our body recovers from a mild to moderate infection of COVID-19”. Now the research directed by Professor Kedzierska and her team will serve as crucial information in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Dr. Celine Gounder
Dr. Celine Gounder has an unending list of titles and achievements. She’s a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the Grossman School of Medicine, CEO and Found of Just Human Productions, host and producer of multiple podcasts providing information on the healthcare system and COVID-19 and she’s a CNN Medical Analyst. There’s simply nothing Dr. Gounder can’t do. As a New Yorker, Gounder is based in of the world’s most effected cities so her expert opinions are crucial both in medical research and broadcasting, the likes of which has saved thousands of lives.