The Gender Equality Network

Lazenya Weekes-Richemond is a global health specialist with over 14 years’ experience in global health and international development. She has extensive experience partnering with Ministries of Health and INGOs across Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South and South East Asia on a range of global health projects. Her experience managing projects in post-conflict settings has underscored the importance of Health System Strengthening and country ownership in global health policy, research and practice.
As a black woman working on behalf of black and brown people in a predominantly white-led sector, Lazenya's work now focuses on disrupting the status quo, calling out neo-colonial practices within the sector and offering solutions to redress power imbalances and inequalities. She has provided consultancy services to a variety of clients advising on strategy development, co-designing projects and increasing black and brown leadership representation within the sector. She seizes every opportunity to bring attention to health disparities among black and brown populations. Lazenya holds an MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a BSc in Biomedical Science from Royal Holloway University of London. Lazenya's latest articles can be found at https://www.rethinkingglobalhealth.com

Dr. Sarah Fraser is a General Practitioner in Nova Scotia, Canada. In addition to a busy clinical practice, she is Co-Director of the Medical Humanities Program at Dalhousie University and Associate Scientific Editor at Canadian Family Physician. In 2021, she published an article about gaslighting medicine in which she described her experience being gaslit by a specialist colleague. It gained considerable attention, including leading to her participation in this UCL event. She also has an active social media presence on Twitter and Instagram @sarahfrasermd

Nadine Dirks is a prolific writer, opinion-maker, & activist. Her work in intersectional feminism, gender, sexuality, communications, sexual & reproductive health & rights, & politics can be found in publications worldwide. She is an author, public speaker, moderator & panelist. Her lived experience as a Black woman living with severe endometriosis shapes her work and lens. Nadine’s work has been recognised internationally by entities such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Nadine is passionate about creating a more equal & sustainable society through awareness, inclusion, & transformation. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Women and Gender Studies