NRP 83 gains momentum: presence at important events on gender medicine

NRP 83 has been represented at several events over the past few months – a sign that gender medicine is becoming increasingly visible and important in Switzerland.

The kick-off event for the Swiss Society for Gender Health (SSGH), dedicated to the systematic integration of sex and gender in research and healthcare, took place at the beginning of September. Researchers and members of the NRP 83 Steering Committee were also in attendance as guests. The SSGH brings together experts from various disciplines and makes an important contribution to a fair and inclusive healthcare system.

This was followed shortly afterwards by the autumn conference of the Swiss Conference of Gender Equality Delegates (SKG) in St. Gallen focusing on the topic of ‘Medicine, Health and Gender’. Carole Clair, President of the NRP 83 Steering Committee, presented the programme and discussed the status and potential of gender-specific medicine in Switzerland together with experts.

The Swiss Gender Medicine Symposium in Bern was another highlight, attracting a large audience with inspiring keynote speeches, lively discussions and packed auditoriums. Carole Clair, Unisanté, University of Lausanne, Carolin Lerchenmüller, University of Zurich, and Catherine Gebhard, University of Bern, took to the podium to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing gender medicine. They emphasised that better and more inclusive care can only be achieved if patients are given priority, research and practice are considered intersectionally and collectively, sufficient resources and training are available, and international networks are strengthened. NRP 83 was also present at the symposium with an information stand and several research projects in the poster session.

The events clearly reflected how broadly and dynamically the field of gender medicine is developing – and how important networking and exchange between science, practice and equality work are.