International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action for Women’s Healthcare
Plastic surgeon, Dr Alla Shukur, Dr Natasha Forster, Microsurgery Speclialist and Dr Yvonne Ying, Pediatric Surgeon operating on a women needing breats reconstruction after fighting cancer. Erbil, Sept 2023.
At Swisscross, we believe that healthcare is a fundamental right—and that urgent action is needed to ensure every woman has access to life-saving and life-changing medical care. This International Women’s Day, under the global theme "Accelerate Action", we are doubling down on our commitment to support women in conflict-affected regions through healthcare and empower women professionals across our organization.
Accelerating Action for Women’s Health
In partnership with UAE Aid, the Kurdistan Ministry of Health, local NGOs and local medical professionals, we are actively working to provide life-changing surgeries to vulnerable women. We are also supporting the establishment of a Breast Cancer Centre in Erbil. This initiative will provide early detection, treatment, and vital education, ensuring that women no longer face unnecessary barriers to life-saving care. Breast cancer remains a leading health challenge, and we are working with partners to provide access to healthcare. Now is the time to accelerate action.
Beyond our current breast reconstruction care, we continue to provide reconstructive surgery to women, including interventions for burn trauma, and restoring not just physical function, but also dignity and confidence. Many of these women have endured unimaginable hardships due to conflict, poverty and lack of access to healthcare due to displacement.
Empowering Women in Healthcare
Accelerating action also means investing in women as healthcare providers. We are actively training female medical professionals in advanced surgical and medical skills, building sustainable healthcare systems led by local expertise. With Swisscross women medical specialists working with and equipping local female medical students and residents with the knowledge and tools they need, we are ensuring long-term, community-driven solutions to healthcare challenges.
Join Us: Act Now for Women’s Health
This Women’s Day, we urge you to be part of this movement:
Donate to help provide reconstructive surgery in Erbil and support medical training programs.
Raise awareness about the healthcare challenges women face in conflict-affected regions.
Amplify the voices of female medical professionals and war-wounded women who need our support.
The time for change is now. Together, we can accelerate action, break barriers, and create a future where every woman has access to the healthcare she deserves.
#IWD2025 #AccelerateAction #WomenIn Health #InvestInWomen
