Driving Systems and Organisational Change to Advance Women in Healthcare Leadership

Driving systems and organisational change to advance women in healthcare leadership combines extensive global cross-sector and national healthcare evidence to identify key drivers of change for gender equity in healthcare leadership.

In Australia, women make up approximately 75% of the healthcare workforce but remain underrepresented in leadership positions. This disparity is significant because diverse leadership that reflects the workforce and community benefits everyone. Evidence highlights the positive impact of women’s leadership on healthcare outcomes, including enhancing health system resilience and responsiveness, equity in healthcare access and improved services, and a more empowered workforce, improved motivation, reduced attrition, and improved quality of care.

Focusing on solutions rather than barriers, and on the systems and organisations where women train and work, is crucial for achieving faster and more sustainable change.

This work, led by researchers at the Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI) and leading academics both nationally and internationally, was coproduced with AWHL lead partners.

Findings are contextualised within the broader system and organisational complexities that affect individual experiences. We emphasise the need for whole-of-system thinking to drive meaningful progress toward gender equality in healthcare leadership. Consolidated efforts, resources, priority, and ongoing leadership are essential for progressing gender equity practices.

This report clarifies the roles, responsibilities, and accountability drivers of organisations and their leaders, as well as the influence of external factors; and it equips stakeholders and organisational leaders with the knowledge and tools to implement approaches that yield measurable outcomes for advancing women in leadership.