As a member of the Transcultural Nursing Society and a servant leader in a large medical institution, the Summit was a stark reminder of the many women that are engaged in ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems and eliminating discriminatory laws and practices, which was the theme of this year’s Summit. It was evident that Madeline Leininger’s Theory of Universality is applicable to the clarion call for justice for women and girls which is inextricably intertwined with healthcare while respecting each women’s life ways and culture. Nurses are uniquely positioned to provide culturally congruent care and advocate for our patients in varied clinical and community settings.
There were many speakers who called for justice for women and girls across the globe and across the life span, particularly women and girls from marginalized and rural communities. Remedies for justice called for women to be at the beginning with the development of gender equality practices and must be included at all levels of governance. As one speaker recognized, countries, communities, villages and families succeed and thrive when women are present at all levels of decision-making.
As a Doctor of Nursing Practice who serves a marginalized population, it was very gratifying to see that many countries created “care centers” which provided medical, legal, and psychological treatment for women and girls. These “care centers” provide wrap-around services for women and girls who sadly experience gender based violence. It was a stern reminder that we as women in the Transcultural Nursing Society are keenly aware of the need for access to healthcare for all women and girls, hence our presence across the globe.
One of the most significant sessions was listening to Ministers from war impacted countries, each pledging to reform, enhance, and advocate for women and girl’s rights to justice in all its forms. These countries vowed to increase efforts to protect women and children. One of the Ambassadors to these countries suggested an “all tools approach” which sounded very much like Leininger’s Theory and her approach to provide meaningful healthcare to all persons utilizing their culture and understanding of healthcare or in this case justice.
Thank you to the Transcultural Nursing Society for this great honor and experience!
Dr. Valerie DeCora Guimaraes