From Our Women to You

IAHPC marked March 8, International Women's Day, by asking our female staff and board members for their messages to readers.

'Women's Loving Gifts of Themselves'

I am so honored to be part of IAHPC, this ever-growing organization whose vision is a world free from health-related suffering. Working in global advocacy for palliative care and essential medicines for the past 11 years has given me an inspiring glimpse of women’s consistent and loving gift of themselves at the bedside, in the back offices, in the halls of power, and on the wards, caring for seriously ill neighbors, friends, loved ones, and total strangers. With the global need for palliative care increasing hourly, and with women such as yourselves leading its growth, I will continue my advocacy for as long as I am able! 

—Senior Advocacy and Partnerships Director Katherine Pettus

'Women Bring Light to the Darkest Moments'

Every day, around the world, women are transforming lives with their wisdom, dedication, compassion, strength, and resilience. Through my work in palliative care, I’ve been honored to learn from, work with, and support women of all ages and backgrounds who bring light to the darkest moments, whether as clinicians, advocates, or caregivers. On this International Women's Day, I celebrate my sisters who contribute to reducing suffering in their families, their communities, and across the globe. 

—Board Member Hibah Osman

Daughters-in-Law Underpin Caregiving in Nepal

Greetings from the SUNITA research team in Nepal, which has been documenting and exploring palliative care needs of patients and families in rural Nepal. There, the burden of caregiving usually falls to daughters-in-law. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, health worker, or support staff you are valuable and you are loved. I’m excited to be a part of the growing global community at the International Association of Hospice and Palliative Care. Working together, anything is possible!

—Board Member Maya Jane Bates

Creating Awareness of PC Improves a Community's Quality of Life

Since joining IAHPC in 2007, I have learned, grown, and advanced my career in palliative care through the mentorship of senior IAHPC members.

Community advocacy on palliative care issues is my hobby and passion: raising awareness, advocating for policy change in community health, and ensuring access to care in marginalized communities. Seeing a gap in patient care at the community level, I started training patient caregivers on basic nursing procedures, infection prevention, and nutrition and hygiene for clients, who have different palliative needs for living with life-limiting or chronic illnesses.

Creating awareness about palliative care will improve the quality of living in the community. 

—Board Member Stella Rithara

'Their Presence Shapes a More Compassionate World'

As a clinical pharmacist, educator, IAHPC board member, and a cancer survivor, I want to send my heartfelt greetings to all the incredible women across the globe who are palliative care health care professionals, caregivers, and patients. Working for over 17 years in palliative care has given me the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary dedication of women who give so much of themselves—whether at the bedside preparing medications to ease pain, offering a compassionate word, at home preparing meals, or advocating for better access to essential medicines, these women consistently show up with love, care, and commitment. It is truly inspiring to see how their presence shapes a more compassionate world. I am personally dedicated to palliative care and improving access to medicines that alleviate pain and ease suffering in seriously ill patients. Each day I strive to contribute to the same vision of compassionate care for all.

—Board Member Ebtesam (Sammi) Ahmed 

'Women Are the Driving Force for a Caring World'

It is a privilege to be part of IAHPC and to celebrate the remarkable women who shape palliative care. In my own country and across the world, I have witnessed the quiet strength and unwavering dedication of women who bring comfort, dignity, and compassion to those facing serious illness. Whether at the bedside, in policy discussions, or within their own families, they are the driving force behind a more humane and caring world. 

At IAHPC, we stand with you, recognizing the unique challenges you face and the profound impact of your work. Together, we co-create a world where no one faces serious health-related suffering alone. Your contributions are immeasurable, and your resilience is a beacon of light for us all.

—Board Member Gulnara Kunirova

Advocacy Needed to Support Patients & PC Workforce

Throughout my career in palliative care, I have worked alongside some remarkable, resilient, and dedicated women. While witnessing the strength of these women, my personal experiences of supporting both my mother and sister through their cancer journeys showed me the impact of health system shortcomings. This fueled my determination to champion integrated palliative care at all levels. 

I now channel my energy into advocating for a system that truly supports both patients and the predominantly female workforce, fostering hope and positive change within our health care systems.

—Board Member Victoria Hewitt

'I Am So Proud to Serve on This Board'

As a woman working in health care for the last 40 years, I am now so proud to serve on the IAHPC board, and am a proud donor to this growing membership organization. The advocacy and research work that IAHPC does to make essential medications available, to educate health care professionals, and to inform policy makers has helped to reduce the pain and suffering experienced by patients and families all over the world. Its website provides free resources to anyone interested in learning more.

—Board Member Mary Callaway

Caregiving at End of Life Is an Honor

 As a clinical director, a doctor, a mother, a daughter and carer, two thoughts have struck me: Women are almost invariably the most “present” to accompany others through life and final years. Also, to care for those who once cared for many is one of life’s greatest honors. 

Often undervalued, the accompaniment that women give to others is a remarkable and wondrous thing. Happy International Women’s Day to you all from my family and my work. I salute you all.

—Board Member Maria Cigolini

Thank God for 'Women's' Work

The adjective "women" has a history of being used as a pejorative meaning "lesser"—such as, "women's work" keeping house and raising children, "women's troubles" for sexual health issues, and traditionally low-paying "women's jobs." Yet when you assess what lies beneath the catch-all phrases, you see that this work, these health issues, these jobs, sustain the core of life itself.

It is no different in palliative care, where family caregivers are overwhelmingly female. Where would so many ailing people be if not for the women who love and care for them? 

This day is an opportunity for us to express our own love and gratitude to women, who step up to fill gaps with such dedication that we also need to remind each other to care for ourselves.

—Pallinews Editor Alison Ramsey

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