Two directors from the Institute of Clinical Effectiveness (IECS) represented the institution at the first plenary session of the Argentine Alliance for Women's Health, an intersectoral forum that seeks to transform the health system from a gender perspective. Dr. Vilma Irazola, director of the Department of Research in Chronic Diseases, and the Dr. Mabel Berrueta, director of the Maternal and Child Health Research Department and the Statistics, Data Management and Information Systems Unit, participated in the meeting held at the Argentine Medical Association.
The event marked a milestone in building a common agenda aimed at addressing the specific and priority needs of women in the health system.
Promoted by Women in Global Health Argentina, the alliance brought together public, private, and civil society organizations to form a network with political advocacy capacity. Among those present were representatives from the Ministries of Health of Jujuy, Córdoba, and the City of Buenos Aires, as well as representatives from organizations such as the Argentine Association of Clinical Oncology, the Inter-American Heart Federation (FIC), UN Women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Pro Mujer Foundation, and the Flor Foundation, among others.
During the event, the IECS directors shared the main structural challenges in their areas of work and presented the institution's role in promoting public health policies with a gender perspective.
“The intersectional approach, which considers the multiplicity of cultural, ethnic, social, economic, and other aspects, is fundamental to understanding the gender perspective and women's health issues. This approach is key to generating evidence to support transformative solutions and influencing public policy decisions that promote their effective implementation. It is an honor to be able to contribute to this initiative of collective and inclusive leadership,” said the Dr. Vilma Irazola.
For its part, the Dr. Mabel Berrueta She emphasized: “Each organization in this alliance contributes a unique element to change and toward active and real transformation. At IECS, we contribute to incorporating a gender and intersectionality approach into research and advocacy, promoting training, implementing monitoring tools in diverse contexts, and raising awareness of women's mental health at all stages. We also work to ensure inclusive evidence-based medicine that no longer excludes women from clinical and regulatory studies. We deeply value being part of this alliance and jointly contributing to driving these changes.”
The plenary session helped identify common priorities and define the first lines of work in advocacy, communication, and public policy advocacy at the national, federal, and territorial levels. The advocacy agenda was co-created by all participating organizations, which made a collective commitment to reducing gender gaps in health.
IECS's participation reinforces its commitment to equity, universal access, and quality in health, aligned with the goal of promoting sustained structural transformations.