This year’s IWD theme, #AccelerateAction for gender equality, was a key consideration on the day. The network joined in collaborative action to discuss current issues for women in pharmacy, provide valuable insights into their shared experiences, and take part in sessions around leadership, resilience and overcoming barriers to equality and inclusion.
Taiwo Owatemi MP delivered a keynote speech, mapping her motivation for studying pharmacy and progressing to work as a senior cancer pharmacist. Taiwo also described how she became politically active which led to her being elected as MP for Coventry North West.
Before her current role as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip), Taiwo was the Shadow Women and Equalities Minister. Taiwo also previously sat on the Health and Social Care Select Committee.
Taiwo commented, “I was honoured to join NAWP to celebrate their 120th Anniversary on International Women’s Day. It was wonderful to mark the day with a room full of ambitious women who are actively invested in supporting each other, as well as developing their networks and careers. I was able to share some insights from my journey, including about dealing with adversity, imposter syndrome, and the importance of developing your professional network. As a network, NAWP has worked tirelessly over the years to improve working opportunities and tackle inequalities for women in pharmacy. I’m excited to see what the network has in store for the coming years!”
Taiwo has been a strong advocate for tackling health inequality, promoting international trade, and advancing social justice. Taiwo pointed out that the pharmacy profession is made up mostly of women, but that leadership positions are sadly made up mostly of men. She told the group that showing up and speaking up is how real change happens and encouraged attendees not to be afraid to use the network to develop and grow.
The event continued with a panel discussion on women in leadership. Speakers included Alison Tennant, Chief Pharmacist, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Nicola Rees, PDA National Representative in Boots and NAWP Network Committee member, and Ramisa Ahmed, PDA Student Representative.
Alison Tennant said, “Sometimes leadership is about saying yes when others see potential in you. Allowing others to bring the leader out of you.”
This was followed by a session titled ‘Making your voice heard in pharmacy: a workshop on assertiveness and confidence in speaking out,’ before an overview of the key successes of the network over the last 120 years.
In January 2020, NAWP began a new chapter as a network of the PDA, the largest pharmacist membership body and only independent trade union exclusively for pharmacists in the UK. The first PDA NAWP President was Naina Chotai, followed by Ayah Abbass.
Lourette Latif Philips is the current PDA NAWP President. At the IWD event, Lourette led a session that looked ahead at the next steps for the network. Lourette encouraged attendees to share their ideas of what they would like the network to focus on next, including what future activities and campaigns they would like the network to get involved in.
Lourette said, “The PDA NAWP Network will continue advocating for gender equality in pharmacy, promoting equal pay and career advancement.
NAWP will collaborate with other equality networks to cover intersectional issues affecting all pharmacists, fostering an even more inclusive and equitable environment.
I hope we can make NAWP’s voice and presence even more prominent by collaborating with other pharmacy organisations, utilising social media, and publishing more articles.
I hope that, as a committee, we can be supportive and approachable to all members and advocate for matters that are important to them.”
NAWP Immediate Past President, Ayah Abbass said, “We had the honour of celebrating International Women’s Day and marking 120 years of NAWP. We were privileged to welcome past NAWP presidents and committee members, who shared valuable insights about NAWP’s history. We reflected on the challenges female pharmacists once faced in a less supportive world and celebrated how women are now striving for leadership positions. This highlights the vital role NAWP continues to play in empowering women in pharmacy. We are grateful to every member of NAWP for their contributions and support.”
PDA Student Rep and NAWP Network member, Ramisa Ahmed said, “I had the pleasure of speaking as a panellist alongside Alison Tennant and Nicola Rees for the women in leadership session, it was great to share my experience and also hear about the mark that women are making in leadership roles whilst acknowledging the barriers we face and how to overcome them including speaking up, mentoring, and allyship to name a few.”
PDA Student Rep and NAWP Network member, Georgina Frimpong said, “The NAWP IWD event was an insightful experience, filled with wisdom, encouragement, and bold conversations about leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers in pharmacy and beyond. This event was a powerful reminder of the influence women can have in pharmacy, leadership, and policy. This is made possible especially when we step up, support each other, and champion women’s equality together.”
Get involved
- Follow the PDA NAWP Network on social media using the hashtag #PDAnawp
- For more information about the PDA NAWP Network, click here.
- If you would like to get involved with the network and its activities, please email: [email protected]
- Join the PDA NAWP Network.
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