Across the world, women often live through conflict, displacement, and inequality, carrying many burdens that remain unseen. Yet within these difficult realities, they also lead, heal, and keep lifesaving services running. This International Women’s Day, we share the voices of four MSF colleagues whose strength and compassion shape the care we provide, and whose resilience continues to inspire teams and communities around them.
I am a recruiter for MSF in Yemen. My dream is to see more women in leadership and healthcare. In my country, female patients feel more comfortable being treated by other women; increasing female participation in medicine is a collective responsibility of society.
I am deeply inspired by my colleagues who are mothers. They maintain high professional standards while acting as the primary support for their families and pursuing further studies. They are the invisible heroes of our society.
Women’s contributions should not only be recognised on one day per year. Their efforts deserve to be valued and appreciated throughout the whole year.
I am a psychologist for MSF, working in conflict zones to provide trauma-informed care for those exposed to violence and displacement. My dream is for a world where women’s rights are respected, and where their mental health is a priority—ensuring that emotional suffering is never hidden and that asking for help is always safe.
In my work, I often support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. A major challenge is the lack of safe spaces and the risk of revictimisation by society or authorities. My goal is to strengthen confidential, culturally sensitive care that protects both physical and mental health.
I am inspired by the quiet leadership of the midwives, doctors, and community leaders I work with. Their empathy and strength in complex crises remind me that the impact women make is not always visible, but it is profound and transformative.
My name is Liya, and I work as a Flying Mental Health Activity Manager with MSF in Ethiopia. I have been working in my current position since November 2024. Prior to that, I worked as a Mental Health Supervisor and Psychologist between the years of 2015 and 2018.
I support teams to strengthen mental health care for people affected by conflict and crisis. As a woman, I dream of a world where women’s mental health is prioritised as much as physical health, and where they can speak about trauma without stigma.
One of the biggest challenges is the "invisible burdens" women carry—acting as caregivers, survivors, and protectors all at once, while their own suffering often remains unseen. Their resilience reminds me that mental health care is not a luxury; it is lifesaving.
I am inspired by the women in MSF who balance empathy with strength. To me, leadership is not about power; it is about solidarity and creating space for other women to lead with courage.
I am a nurse, and my dream is to be a leader who inspires other women. In my work, I have seen shocking situations where women cannot make decisions about their own bodies, husbands decide on everything from contraception to life-saving procedures.
Another challenge is the harassment and bias in the workplace; when women reach leadership roles, their success is often attributed to a "male force" rather than their own hard work. They treat your body as if it does not belong to you, and setting boundaries can lead to isolation.
Women often bear invisible burdens in crises, yet they remain essential to the resilience of health systems and communities. Their courage and expertise shape MSF’s work every day and help keep hope alive even in the hardest moments. This International Women’s Day, we honour every woman who stands firm in the face of conflict, pressure, and inequality.
