There's no better time than Women's History Month to add a chapter by four GPH graduate students who are dedicated to improving women's health on a global level. They began the new year at beautiful NYU Florence, enrolled in the J term course Global Women's Health Programs: Analyzing Evidence to Improve Women's Lives, taught by Dr. Cheryl Healton, Professor of Public Health Policy and Management. This trip combined academic learning with real-world exposure to the complexities of global women's health, emphasizing the importance of empowerment and direct support in tackling gender-based violence. Classroom discussions were brought to life with tours of social service nonprofits, talks with local elected officials, and visits to women's health-focused organizations.
The group of 18 public health students visited several organizations, starting with ACISJF (Associazione Cattolica Internazionale a Servizio della Giovane Firenze), which supports abused refugee women and their children, instilling hope and confidence for the future. Another visit was to Casa Serena, a shelter that collaborates with IKEA to create a comfortable living environment for single women and children. The facility stood out to the students, for its clean and welcoming space, starkly contrasting their expectations of shelters. Casa Serena had thoughtful details like colorfully painted walls, houseplants by the windows, and toys for the children. Nosotras, an organization assisting Latina immigrant women with empowerment, gender violence, and anti-discrimination services, was also part of their itinerary. While in Florence, students highlighted global women's health disparities through group presentations and innovative projects.
Four students recently discussed the transformative experiences they shared, both within and outside the beautiful NYU campus: Faith Daniel, first year Doctor of Public Health student and Teaching Assistant; Oyinkansola Babayode, MPH student in the Global Health concentration; Juliana Zeller, MPH student in the community health science and practice concentration; and Nowshin Mannan, MPH student in the Global Health concentration. Read their brief conversation below as they talk about their advocacy for women’s rights around the world.
Faith Daniel: “I was so excited to bring my work in reproductive justice into the classroom, that I’ve continued as Teaching Assistant for the spring.”
Oyinkansola Babayode: “It’s a great course! Personally, I was most struck by our field trip to the ACISJF, a refuge for women who have endured abuse. As a physician and second-year student in Global Health concentration, I know it’s incredibly daunting to break free from abuse when the victim is dependent and maintains regular contact with the abuser. We could see how, by creating a safe and supportive environment, ACISJF enables women to regain control of their lives.”
Juliana Zeller: “I appreciated the diversity of interventions at one place we saw called Nosotras; they offer immigrant women empowerment, gender-violence, and anti-discrimination services. With my concentration in community health science and practice, and considering the vastly different populations I’ve worked with, listening to these women and igniting empowerment within them felt full circle to me.”
Nowshin Mannan: “I was inspired by our site visit to a shelter for single women and children. My passion is working with adolescents in health, and Casa Serena was committed to providing a comfortable space and homey atmosphere. Their aim was to shield children from trauma caused by the loss of their home, and they dedicated substantial effort to creating an open and safe space.”
FD: “It was really cool, Juliana, to host a Google-Review-A-Thon with you for the class and to work with the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice to expose anti-abortion centers.”
JZ: “Yes! I come from Ecuador, and I’ve always had a passion for maternal health and reproductive justice, especially since it’s a place where these topics are taboo. Public health requires a global aspect, and by traveling to Italy I could compare public health systems across continents.”
NM: “My team also presented on forcibly displaced women and children in Turkey and Syria. The conflict has taken a toll on women and girls' rights, impacting their access to crucial services essential for their health, well-being, and lives. It’s why my concentration is in global health; discrimination and inequalities constrain women and subject them to heightened risks all over the world.”
OB: “For me, the takeaway of this course was seeing how an emphasis on empowerment can equip women with tools and confidence. With challenges faced by working mothers globally, we need a comprehensive approach to healing. Witnessing this holistic support system left me truly touched and inspired!”
JZ: “It felt empowering to travel alongside a diverse group of passionate women who, like me, are invested in the holistic health of women across the globe.”
NM: “I had so many great discussions with my peers that gave me a greater understanding of women's health. Overall, being part of NYU Florence was a memorable experience.”
To balance out their focus on academics, the class took trips to San Gimignano and Siena, where they learned about Italy's rich history and explored the countryside. And as unofficial course credits, so to speak, they enjoyed the flavors of Italian pasta, pizza and gelato!
Faith Daniel, MPH
DrPH Student
Oyinkansola Babayode, MD
MPH Student, Global Health
Nowshin Mannan
MPH Student, Global Health
Juliana Zeller
MPH Student, Community Health Science & Practice
