Investing in Women for Healthier Futures: Driving Innovation in Global Healthcare
Address: Dronning Eufemias gate 71, Oslo, NO, Microsoft Norway (The Auditorium, 2nd Floor)
Date: March 4th 2025
Time: 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Event Overview
In celebration of International Women’s Day, join us for a dynamic discussion and roundtable event hosted in partnership with Operation Smile Norway. This event will convene an extraordinary lineup of global thought leaders, policymakers and changemakers to explore the intersection of gender, funding and innovation in global health equity.
Women form the backbone of healthcare systems worldwide, making up the majority of frontline healthcare workers and caregivers driving lifesaving care and expanding opportunities for healthier communities. Yet, their contributions often become undervalued and systemic barriers persist, limiting career advancement and representation in leadership roles. Increasingly, there is a need to highlight the broader impact of investing in health and how this drives greater gains for individuals, communities, and, ultimately, societies and economies.
Through engaging discussions, cutting-edge data and powerful storytelling, this event will delve into the transformative role of women in healthcare, showcasing innovations and investments that are yielding tangible results. Emphasizing how these investments drive meaningful gains for individuals and communities is crucial, especially during fiscal constraints.
We’ll spotlight the voices of women on the frontlines, as well as those shaping the future of global health through innovative policies, strategic investments and impactful funding mechanisms. With insights from leading institutions like The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Nordics, the World Bank GFF and Norway's Ministry of Health, we’ll explore actionable strategies to close the equity gap and uplift women to drive sustainable healthcare transformation.
This is more than a conversation; it’s a call to action. Together, we will address the challenges of global health funding, highlight successful initiatives that demonstrate the power of women-led solutions and foster collaboration across sectors to shape a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Event Details
Keynote Speaker: We are delighted to welcome Luc Laviolette, Head of the Global Financing Facility (GFF) Secretariat at the World Bank, to deliver a powerful lightning talk. The upcoming Global Financing Facility (GFF) annual report will shed light on the critical need for gender-responsive investments, innovative policy frameworks and scalable solutions to ensure equitable access to healthcare for women and vulnerable communities. Luc Laviolette will provide an initial unveiling of the GFF report, offering strategic insights into the future of global health financing.
Session Content Curator and Moderator: Astrid Sundberg - Operation Smile Norway
Event Collaboration Partners:
Operation Smile Norway
Laerdal Global Health
Women in Life Science Norway
Speaker Collaborations with:
World Bank GFF
The Ministry of Health Norway
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Nordics
The Department of Health Management and Health Economics at Oslo University and Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Diversify + Herspace
Speaker Overview:
Luc Laviolette World Bank Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents
Usman Ahmad Mushtaq State Secretary, Ministry of Health and Care Services
Carl Bjorkman The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Benedetta Spinola Martini European Vice President of Corporate Development Partnerships at Operation Smile
Dr. Ishita Barua Board Advisor at Women in Life Science Norway, Co-Founder and Chief Health AI Officer, Livv Health
Dr. Lumbwe Chola Professor of Health Economics, University of Oslo
Chisom Udeze Thought Leader, Founder, Health Equity expert and Founder of Diversify and Herspace
Jennifer Gilbertson Director of Impact and Implementation at Laerdal Global Health
Astrid Sundberg Executive Director at Operation Smile Norway (Moderator)
Event Highlights:s A lightening talk and roundtable discussion with mingling afterwards. Drinks and light refreshments will be served for guests at the event.