Researchers at the Emory Rollins School of Public Health have published an essay in Global Health, Epidemiology and Genomics emphasizing the shortage of women holding global health leadership roles and highlighting the successes of the Emory Global Research for Women (GROW) pilot program to change that trajectory. This thought piece is a response to the #MeToo movement and to last year's call for papers following the Women Leaders in Global Health Conference.
"GROW engages early career professionals in a way that advances their careers, connects them with peers, assists in their scholarship support and builds mentorship into their training," says Kathryn M. Yount, PhD, lead author and Asa Griggs Candler Chair of Global Health at Emory University.
Specifically, GROW offers mentees with advanced theoretical and methodological training, opportunities to lead and co-author papers, access to global practica experiences and diverse networking opportunities, advice and support from mentors, financial support, conflict resolution skills, ethics training, resume building, and more. The paper includes positive feedback from a number of mentees who have been engaged with the pilot since 2015, supporting GROW's effectiveness.
Carlos del Rio, MD, Hubert Professor and Chair of the Hubert Department of Global Health, along with numerous additional Emory faculty, contributed to the essay.
"GROW is grounded in a theory of change about how to advance women's careers in global health," says Yount, who notes there has been interest from other universities eager to test the model. "We hope this reaches funders, global health programs at other universities, and women who are furthering their education both in lower-income countries and in fellowship programs housed in the United States."
About GROW
GROW is an interdisciplinary global initiative supported by Emory University to advance scholarship, leadership, and dialogue that catalyzes empowerment, health, and freedom from violence for women and girls globally. GROW strives to advance scholarship, cultivate leadership, and generate dialogue that catalyzes social change through evidence-based policies, programs, and collective action for the empowerment of women and girls.