Women’s empowerment cannot stop at social media posts and International Women’s Day messages. Leaders must prove their commitment through measurable action on representation, pay equity, inclusive hiring, menstrual and menopausal support, and workplace accountability.

Two years into COVID-19, Dr Sunoor Verma reflects on what the pandemic revealed about global health governance, health systems, leadership, WHO, regional cooperation and the unequal relationship between high- and low-income countries.