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State Of The Nation: A Call To Action For An Inclusive And Innovative Future

Source: Forbes



The current volatile macro environment has rendered nations fragile and in a state of flux, with pivotal decisions being made that carry profound implications for women and marginalized communities.


Humans Rights Watch have stated that in multiple countries, women’s rights have been rolled back with anti-feminist rhetoric and policies meaning gender disparities are overall worsening.


From the US to Europe, women and marginalized individuals’ rights are at risk. It is more important now than ever to support initiatives that benefit these demographics and advance their rights. One of the most powerful ways to do so is by ensuring equal treatment and access to healthcare, which helps meet both basic and nuanced health needs and enables these individuals to thrive in society.


United States of America


The United States stands as one of the preeminent nations globally, both in economic prowess and in the exercise of soft power. Consequently, it is often regarded as a paragon of an ideal and well-functioning society.


It is important to note that we unequivocally condemn the assassination attempt on Donald Trump this past weekend. Violence is never the solution and should never be employed as a means to an end.


The upcoming presidential election will be a crucial determinant of the direction of women's healthcare in the United States. A potential Trump presidency could solidify and expand restrictive policies, raising significant concerns among advocates for women's health given the policy shifts and legislative changes that occurred during and following Trump’s previous term.


The Trump administration oversaw significant restrictions on abortion access. The appointment of conservative justices to the Supreme Court set the stage for the eventual overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a landmark decision that had guaranteed federal protection for abortion rights. With Roe v. Wade overturned, the power to regulate abortion reverted to individual states, leading to a patchwork of laws that vary widely across the country. As a result, many states have enacted strict bans or severe restrictions on abortion, significantly limiting access. Today, legislatures in 22 states either have strong restrictions or strict bans on abortions, often making it a criminal action. This shift marked a significant change in women’s healthcare, extending beyond abortion rights. It represents a considerable setback in overall women's rights, as access to birth control is crucial for women’s economic and social advancement.


Additionally, part of Trump's re-election promises includes rolling back federal policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. This could mean that federal civil rights laws would no longer cover anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, potentially leaving thousands of individuals from this community without protection against discrimination in the workplace, education, healthcare, and various government programs.

Beyond these issues, Trump’s "America First" rhetoric and fiscal plans could have significant economic implications. Sixteen Nobel prize-winning economists have warned that Trump's plan to impose a 10% tariff on imports from all countries could reignite inflation and provoke retaliation from trade partners, potentially causing lasting harm to the global economy and U.S. products.


Overall, the upcoming election has substantial implications for women's healthcare, minority rights, and the broader U.S. economy.


UK


In the United Kingdom, the Labour party has brought an end to 14 years of Conservative rule, ushering in a new era in politics under the leadership of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. As the country transitions, there is considerable interest in the party's plans for jumpstarting the UK economy, their approach to immigration, and their stance on supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.


Prime Minister Starmer has indicated the party's commitment to reducing "net migration" in the UK, although specific actions on how this will be achieved have not yet been detailed. Additionally, Labour has emphasized the importance of British companies prioritizing British workers, a stance that has garnered attention and discussion.

Regarding LGBTQIA+ rights, while Labour affirms its support for the community, there have been questions regarding the inclusivity of Prime Minister Starmer's stance on transgender rights.


The Labour manifesto outlines initiatives such as the "NHS innovation and adoption strategy," which aims to integrate technology more deeply into the National Health Service (NHS). This strategy includes reforms to incentive structures to stimulate innovation and expedite regulatory approval processes for new technologies and medicines. Entrepreneurs in the healthcare sector can anticipate clearer pathways for NHS adoption of their innovations under this plan.


Notably, the manifesto underscores the transformative potential of AI in enhancing the speed and accuracy of NHS services. While the party has not explicitly outlined support measures for the UK start-up ecosystem, they have committed to establishing a regulatory framework that supports innovation and fostering collaborations with university spinouts.


As the Labour government begins to implement these policies, stakeholders across various sectors will be closely watching to see how these commitments translate into tangible actions and outcomes that benefit the economy, healthcare, and societal inclusivity.


Europe


Moreover, in Europe inclusivity seems to be doing worse overall. According to The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights nearly half of people of African descent in the EU experience racism and discrimination in their daily lives, a trend that has unfortunately increased since 2016. This situation is partly attributed to the support and election of far right and extreme right candidates.


In France, the far-right political party, Le Rassemblement National (RN), came close to gaining a majority in the recent National Assembly vote, reflecting a notable shift in the country's political landscape. The RN has emerged as a prominent player alongside other established party. This follows previous strong showings in presidential races, positioning them as a significant force in French politics. Led by Marie Le Pen, the RN is known for its firm stance on immigration and conservative views on women's and LGBTQIA+ rights. Le Pen has been vocal in opposing immigration and what she terms as "wokeism". The party has a history of voting against legislation protecting women's rights, including measures to combat domestic violence and efforts to enshrine abortion rights in the French constitution. On immigration, the RN advocates for strict controls, proposing measures to reduce both legal and illegal immigration. They also promote a policy of "national preference," prioritizing French citizens for housing and job opportunities, while proposing stricter visa and nationality requirements. Economically, the RN supports a "France First'' approach and seeks to depart from President Macron's business-friendly policies, which have fostered a thriving start-up ecosystem in France. While specifics on start-up policies are less clear, their broader economic agenda could potentially impact innovation and competitiveness negatively.


Across Europe, nationalist sentiments are on the rise, evident in the emergence of far-right parties like Fratelli d’Italia in Italy, the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands, and Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Germany. These parties often focus on anti-immigration and Eurosceptic agendas, reflecting a broader trend of protest against established political norms.


In Italy, Fratelli d’Italia has taken strong positions against abortion and LGBTQIA+ rights, while emphasizing strict immigration policies. Similarly, the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands prioritizes immigration reduction and has a critical stance towards Islam, potentially impacting the country's multinational base and economic policies.


In Germany, AfD has gained popularity with a platform that opposes gender and marriage equality laws and advocates for tough immigration measures. This stance has raised concerns among businesses and multinational corporations, who see AfD policies as threatening Germany's business environment and economic stability.


Overall, the rise of nationalist parties across Europe presents significant challenges to established social and economic policies, potentially reshaping the continent's political landscape, and affecting key sectors such as immigration, business, and human rights.


The rise of extreme views and extreme-right political parties presents a challenge to the progress made in gender equality and inclusive governance. These parties often advocate for policies emphasizing nationalism, strict immigration controls, and traditional values on gender and sexuality. This trend underscores the ongoing need to support and elect leaders who prioritize inclusivity, diversity, and the rights of all individuals, irrespective of gender, race, or background.


Representation in Politics - why does it matter?


Representation in politics is not merely about numbers or quotas; it fundamentally shapes the landscape of governance and policies that impact everyone in society. As Caroline Criado Perez aptly pointed out, representation matters because “it affects what girls and women believe they can be”. Moreover, it affects legislative priorities based on the diverse life experiences women bring to decision-making tables. Decades of data have shown that the percentage of women in parliaments directly correlates with the passage of laws addressing critical issues such as sexual harassment, rape, divorce, and domestic violence (as cited in "Invisible Women").


Rachel Reeves, the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer in the United Kingdom, emphasized this point in her inaugural speech at HM Treasury. She highlighted that representation not only breaks glass ceilings for young women and girls but also brings a “deeper responsibility to address systemic inequalities that have historically marginalized women's voices in economic policymaking”.


The presence of female and diverse representation in politics ensures that the interests of these demographics are effectively advocated for, prioritized, and articulated by individuals who intimately understand the experiences of women and marginalized groups. This representation is crucial for crafting and implementing inclusive policies that address their specific needs.


The absence of women in political decision-making may well have precluded the enactment of pivotal legislation concerning women's health rights, which significantly influence societal support and perception of women. For instance, in the United States, female members of Congress played a pivotal role in shaping the Affordable Care Act, ensuring it included provisions such as maternity leave and contraception coverage. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, female MPs advocated for increased NHS funding that expanded women's health services to include mental health, maternity care, and reproductive health services. Across the European Union, female leaders championed the inclusion of gender disparities in healthcare within the European Gender Equality Strategy, thereby enhancing women's access to essential health services.


These female legislators understood that for women to truly thrive, their health must be taken seriously. Representation in politics is not merely symbolic; it directly influences the laws and policies that shape our societies. Advocating for and supporting diverse representation is crucial to ensuring that governments reflect and address the needs and rights of ALL citizens fairly and equitably.


Politics and women’s rights are undeniably intertwined. One thing which is certain is that controlling and restricting access and investment into women’s health limits women’s potential within the workforce and society as a whole. In her new book, "Unlocking Women's Health," Brittany Barreto underscores that improving women's health goes beyond healthcare—it is about fostering gender equality. Healthy women are better positioned to achieve financial independence, actively participate in the workforce, and drive innovation. Empowered by good health, women can assume leadership roles, influence decision-making processes, and catalyze significant societal transformations.


As General Partner of Goddess Gaia Ventures, we focus on investing in start-ups founded by best-in-class founders tackling health issues that solely, differently or disproportionately affect women. We prioritize merit over background, backing ventures committed to delivering top-tier outcomes in women’s health. Our diverse investment team ensures all voices are heard and supported financially, whether through our GP/LP vehicle, Goddess Gaia Ventures, or through our non-profit arm, Goddess Gaia DAF.


Investing in women's health isn't just about wellness; it unlocks the potential of half the global population. By prioritizing these initiatives, we foster a more equitable world where women thrive and contribute meaningfully. This approach not only enriches lives but also strengthens communities and global economies, driving positive change for generations.


Political representation isn't merely symbolic—it shapes laws that affect our societies. Supporting diverse representation ensures governance reflects and addresses the needs of all citizens fairly. Countries with higher female representation tend to pass more inclusive legislation, including crucial measures in women’s health.


While political representation is vital, we must also provide substantial funding to women and minority founders. They represent a promising source of innovation and a significant financial opportunity. Supporting them isn't just about advancing healthcare; it's about promoting human rights and empowering women worldwide.


Advancing women’s health innovations is crucial for achieving true equality and enabling women to thrive globally.


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By Priya Oberoi

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