Nurses urged to embrace generosity and mentorship to advance women’s health

Health experts have called on nurses to deepen their commitment to mentorship, collaboration, and generosity as part of efforts to strengthen women’s health outcomes in Ghana.

The call was made by Margaret Gyapong, a medical anthropologist at the Centre for Health Policy and Implementation Research at the Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). She spoke at an event organised by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to commemorate International Women’s Day in Accra.

The event was held on the theme “Give to Gain: The Role of Giving in Fostering Gender Equality Leading to Collective Advancement – Where Women Thrive, We All Rise.”

Prof. Gyapong encouraged nurses to reflect on the values of service, generosity, and mentorship, describing them as essential to strengthening healthcare delivery and empowering women in society.

Drawing inspiration from the biblical description of a virtuous woman, she said the archetype represented a person who works diligently, speaks with wisdom, and extends generosity to others regardless of status.

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all,” she said, noting that the example was not meant to impose unrealistic expectations but rather to highlight the importance of a value-driven life where individuals use their gifts to serve others.

She urged nurses and other professionals to reflect on the principle of giving and its broader impact on society.

“What have you given and what gains have you made?” she asked.

According to Prof. Gyapong, the theme emphasises generosity, support, and collaboration as key drivers for empowering women and strengthening the nursing profession. She noted that although public perceptions of nurses are sometimes influenced by the actions of a few individuals, the profession remains indispensable to Ghana’s healthcare system.

She stressed that nurses play a critical role in promoting women’s health and safeguarding their rights, particularly as many women continue to face barriers in accessing healthcare services, including gender bias.

Prof. Gyapong also acknowledged the personal sacrifices many nurses make in pursuit of professional advancement and urged them to use their experience to mentor younger professionals.

“After you have gained these higher heights, what are you giving to those who depend on you?” she asked.

She highlighted the contributions of distinguished nursing professionals whose dedication has helped advance the profession, promote gender equality, and drive collective progress.

Prof. Gyapong noted that the GRNMA has more than 120,000 members and said that if even half of them committed to protecting and uplifting the profession, the impact would be significant.

She further encouraged nurses to continue advocating for women’s health and rights while mentoring young girls and boys in their communities.

President of the GRNMA, Perpetual Ofori-Ampofo, also urged women to take advantage of leadership opportunities and translate empowerment into meaningful action.

She emphasised that empowering women goes beyond creating opportunities and requires women themselves to step forward and take up those opportunities when they arise.

Meanwhile, Daniel Osei Tuffour, Founder and Executive Chairperson of the YAWC Network, encouraged participants to make informed choices when selecting mentors, stressing that strong mentorship is vital for gender development and professional growth.

He said the choice of mentors was critical for career acceleration, personal growth and skills development.

Source: GNA