Role of Women in Humanitarian Outreach

Abstract

Program Description: Humanitarian aid offers human, technological, and financial resources to vulnerable people throughout the world. As healthcare providers, we strive to provide not only quality medical care, but to establish sustainable programs through global outreach endeavors. Equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities and are at the heart of many community-based efforts to improve education, prevent the spread of disease, and increase access to medical care. This miniseminar focuses on the role of women in the international community as not only otolaryngologists but also educators, community leaders, and global healthcare providers. Successful outreach missions and partnership programs will be presented to highlight the significance of establishing lasting access to healthcare through education, with an emphasis on educating medical and surgical providers. The production of audio-visual communications and relevant material (leaflets, posters, slides, videos, publications, and films) could then be used at national and international levels in initiatives relating to health in developing countries. Presentations will discuss methods to develop collaborations with NGOs and public and private institutions in developing countries, employing experts, and volunteers. Panelists will relate their experiences from disparate areas of the world, including Africa and Asia. Educational Objectives: 1) Understand some of the global healthcare issues facing the world, especially women. 2) Have options of participating in humanitarian healthcare, either by financial participation or the establishment of educational programs for the training of healthcare providers, especially women.