Ashley Anderson

After my internship in Tanzania with Mama na Mtoto, I was offered a full time position with the initiative at the University of Calgary. My position involves sharing stories of Mama na Mtoto’s work to raise awareness of global health, and gender and equity issues. While I strive to consider the influence of gender in all aspects of my life, my current position gives me the opportunity to deeply explore the impact of gender inequality on health outcomes. Although Mama na Mtoto focuses primarily on health, the promotion of gender equity is fundamental to our work.

I want to see a world where access to quality education and health care is not determined by one’s gender, race, or location. I would also like to see comprehensive policies and systems in place that address root causes of issues, instead of providing a surface level fix. Through my work with Mama na Mtoto, I’ve learned that addressing the social determinants of health is just as important as addressing clinical health. Similarly, I believe addressing social influences can have a significant impact on the prevalence of gender inequality. By using comprehensive and community-based solutions, gender inequality can be addressed and challenged.