What can be done to “accelerate action” when it comes to gender equality? According Dr Shriti Pattani OBE, the National Clinical Expert in Occupational Health and Wellbeing for NHS England, it’s the women who need to take the lead.
She highlighted the persistent challenges faced by women, particularly in fields where credibility and authority are often assumed to belong to men and underscored how these biases can create additional hurdles, making women more hesitant to assert themselves, whether in professional settings or in advocating for fair financial compensation.
“I believe that sometimes it’s women themselves who lack the confidence to take action. While we have policies in place and recognise that men often have an advantage, there are still persistent challenges”, she said.
Of the many aspects that can help “accelerate action”, Dr Pattani believes that firstly, it is important for women to feel empowered to ask for what they are worth. Secondly, those with tenure need to act as role models for the next generation of women. “We need to show them that success is possible and guide them on how to negotiate and advocate for themselves.”
At the same time, she believes that self-care needs to be taken seriously because too often, women take on more responsibilities at work while continuing to manage everything at home, without allowing themselves to offload tasks. “Taking care of our own well-being is not selfish; it’s essential”, she highlighted.
With self-care in mind, she noted that mental health, particularly stress, is a major concern for women. Juggling childcare, elder care, household duties, and careers—while also facing disproportionate societal pressures—only adds to the strain. Often, women take on too much, finding it difficult to say "no." Dr Pattani’s advice? Delegation is key, and it’s important to remember that it’s okay to have an off day. “Women often feel the need to push through, but acknowledging when you need a break is essential”, she said.
When it comes to physical health challenges particular to women, she feels that there is more awareness with conversations being more open and generalised but she also acknowledges that discussion alone doesn’t always lead to action, and that remains a significant challenge.
Discussing her work in the NHS, she highlighted how different industries address these challenges. “In the NHS, we openly discuss issues like heavy periods, pregnancy, and menopause. While policies exist, the focus is on actively supporting employees.”
Her trust offers a comprehensive occupational health and well-being service, including weekly menopause support clinics and education for managers on handling sensitive discussions. This ensures a more inclusive and understanding workplace. However, she noted that such support is rare outside the NHS. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which employ most of the UK workforce, lack occupational health services, leaving women without necessary resources.
Further advocating for a change, she said, “Women face challenges throughout their working lives due to different stages of the fertility cycle. However, these experiences also make us incredibly versatile. A little support from employers can go a long way in easing these challenges. Given that women make up 50% of the workforce, providing support isn’t just beneficial for employees—it helps businesses optimise performance by ensuring their female employees can focus on their work without added stress.”
According to Dr Pattani, women make exceptional leaders. They are nurturing, supportive, and invested in the success of those around them—all natural leadership qualities. “While leadership training is always beneficial, many women possess the soft skills that are crucial to effective leadership. These skills, such as active listening, empathy, and conflict resolution, can be further refined through experience and development programs.”
However, as a woman in leadership herself, she is not aloof of the challenges. “At times, I feel that I am not heard as clearly as my male counterparts. I often have to work harder to achieve the same level of recognition”, she admits.
“At times, I feel that I am not heard as clearly as my male counterparts. I often have to work harder to achieve the same level of recognition and often wonder whether a man in my position would face the same scepticism”, she further added.
