Blog of Dr. Olga Tzortzatou Nanopoulou, Soroptimist International Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
On the 78th World Health Assembly, voices from around the world came together with a shared message: health systems must be built on care, compassion, and community. Three powerful issues stood out—preventing suicide, supporting nurses and midwives, and transforming women’s health. Every day, 125 young people die by suicide, with growing numbers among girls and young women. But suicide is not inevitable—it is preventable. What’s needed are support systems that start early in life, where teachers, police officers, and health workers are trained to recognise distress and respond with empathy. In some countries, people are still punished for attempting suicide. This needs to change. Stigma and fear only push people further into silence. Instead, national strategies should be designed together with people who have lived through it—especially youth and women—so that help is not only available, but trusted and accessible.
At the same time, much of this care depends on nurses and midwives. They are often the first—and sometimes the only—point of contact for people in rural or underserved communities. Yet despite their essential role, nurses face unsafe working conditions, poor pay, and limited mental health support. In fact, only half of countries regulate their working conditions, and nearly 60% don’t offer mental health resources to the nurses themselves. Add to that the reality that although women make up most of the health workforce, only a quarter are in leadership roles. It’s no surprise many are burning out or leaving the profession altogether. This puts even more pressure on already stretched health systems, especially in countries dealing with aging populations or a rise in chronic illnesses. There’s also a strong economic argument here. Better health doesn’t just save lives—it strengthens societies. Investing in nurses brings a big return: for every dollar spent, two to ten dollars come back in economic value. Improving nurses’ well-being could also recover billions in lost productivity. And when nurses lead, care becomes more accessible and affordable—especially in the places that need it most.
A similar message came through in another important discussion at the Assembly: transforming women’s health. Speakers shared hard truths about the number of women still dying in childbirth and the urgency of doing more. But there was hope, too. Countries like Sri Lanka and Ghana have made real progress—by creating national strategies, using data to drive change, and working across sectors. New digital tools, from mobile health apps to AI-driven platforms, are also helping women access information and care, especially in remote areas. What’s powerful is that these tools are being designed with women in mind—often by women themselves. Involving men in the conversation, too, is key to shifting harmful gender norms and supporting better maternal outcomes.
These stories remind us that change is possible. When countries listen to communities, support their health workers, and make mental health and women’s well-being a priority, lives are saved.
We believe suicide prevention, nursing leadership, and women’s health are not separate issues. They are connected by a simple truth: everyone deserves to be heard, protected, and cared for. As a women’s organisation, we support a future where health systems are built not just on policies and plans, but on the lived realities of those they serve. A future where care means connection, leadership means listening, and every life truly matters.
