A Regional Networking and Mentoring Meeting for Women in the Pharmaceutical Sector took place in Kigali, Rwanda, from August 27 to 28, 2024. The gathering offered women in the pharmaceutical industry across the COMESA region and beyond a valuable platform to network and collaborate.
The meeting was focused on leveraging existing policies, such as the COMESA Gender Policy and the COMESA Social Charter, to create more opportunities for women in the sector. It also aims to align regional initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those that emphasize gender equality, decent work, and economic growth.
Participants from the 15 COMESA member states involved in a three-year, Africa Development Bank-funded project attended the workshop. The project aims to bolster the pharmaceutical industry through enhanced capacities of regional regulatory bodies, quality control systems, and research institutions, ensuring the effective manufacturing of safe and high-quality pharmaceutical products.
In her opening remarks, Guest of Honor, Madam Martine Umuhoza, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority, highlighted the importance of collaboration and networking among women in the pharmaceutical sector.
“Our goal for the next two days is to improve networking, mentorship, and leadership opportunities for women in the pharmaceutical industry across the 21 Member States, with a focus on advancing gender equality in this crucial sector,” she stated.
Despite progress in economic integration, Madam Umuhoza noted that significant gender disparities persist, which hinder the sector’s ability to innovate and address diverse needs. She emphasized that the meeting was a critical step toward overcoming these challenges.
The Director of Gender and Social Services Mrs Beatrice Hamusonde reiterated COMESA’s commitment to health and well-being, citing the Health Framework that provides strategic direction to member states in addressing health priorities and challenges. However, she also pointed out the lack of comprehensive data on gender participation in the pharmaceutical industry, despite the growing presence of women.
According to the COMESA Gender Policy of 2016, women’s participation in intra-regional trade and investment remains suboptimal, despite the region’s progress in economic integration.
Mrs. Hamusonde, speaking at the event, underscored the importance of women’s participation at all levels of the pharmaceutical sector, from research and development to leadership.
“This meeting is more than just a discussion; it is an action-oriented forum where we will explore the challenges, identify opportunities, and develop concrete strategies to enhance the participation of women in the pharmaceutical sector,” she concluded.
The COMESA Support towards Regional Pharmaceutical Sector Development project continues to play a pivotal role in fostering the growth of the pharmaceutical industry in the region.