Championing Women’s Health: Dr. Joseph Njagi’s Role as a Male Ally in Endometriosis Treatment and Healthcare Leadership

Gender equity in healthcare leadership is often framed as an issue for women alone, yet male allies play an essential role in dismantling barriers and promoting inclusive leadership. In many parts of the world, healthcare systems remain male-dominated, especially in decision-making and high-skill specialties like surgery. However, a growing number of men in medicine are actively working to support gender equity, not only by advocating for women in leadership but also by addressing gendered health disparities. One such ally is Dr. Joseph Njagi, a Kenyan obstetrician-gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon who has dedicated his career to the treatment of endometriosis. His work offers a powerful example of how male professionals can directly and indirectly support the advancement of women in healthcare, aligning with the broader objectives of the Women in Healthcare Leadership (WIHL) Project.

The WIHL Project focuses on increasing gender recognition in healthcare leadership and improving representation in decision-making structures. While its primary objective is to uplift women, it also recognizes the critical role male allies play in accelerating systemic change. By leveraging their influence in traditionally male-dominated spaces, male leaders can challenge entrenched biases, advocate for inclusive policies, and create opportunities for women to thrive. Dr. Njagi embodies this model of allyship, not only through his expertise in women’s health but also through his mentorship, policy advocacy, and leadership in surgical innovation.

Endometriosis, the condition at the heart of Dr. Njagi’s work, affects an estimated 10% of women and girls of reproductive age globally. Despite its prevalence, it remains underdiagnosed, often dismissed as ‘normal’ menstrual pain, and receives significantly less research funding than other chronic diseases. In Kenya, many women endure years of suffering before receiving a diagnosis, and even then, access to specialized treatment is limited. This lack of awareness and institutional neglect reflects broader gender biases in healthcare, where conditions that predominantly affect women receive inadequate attention. By dedicating his career to improving endometriosis diagnosis and treatment, Dr. Njagi is addressing a critical gap in women’s health.

Through his initiative, Laparoscopy Mashinani, he has expanded access to minimally invasive surgical procedures in underserved areas, ensuring that women in rural Kenya can receive high-quality gynaecological care. His annual Endometriosis Surgical Marathon has brought together international experts to share skills and perform much-needed surgeries, helping to bridge the gap in surgical expertise and raise awareness about the disease. These efforts directly contribute to gender equity in healthcare by ensuring that women’s health concerns are given the attention they deserve.

Beyond his work in treating endometriosis, Dr. Njagi’s influence extends to healthcare leadership and mentorship. As the Secretary General of the Kenyan Society of Endoscopic Specialties and a director at 3rd Park Hospital and MGGC, he occupies positions where he pushes for policies that improve women’s health services and create pathways for more female professionals to enter surgical fields. Surgery, like many other high-skill medical specialties, has historically been male-dominated, with systemic barriers discouraging women from entering and advancing in the field. Through his mentorship and training programs, Dr. Njagi is actively working to change this, providing opportunities for female doctors to specialize in laparoscopic surgery and gain leadership roles in their respective institutions.

His contributions highlight how male allyship in healthcare can take different forms. Direct allyship, as seen in his work treating endometriosis, involves using one’s expertise to address gender-specific health disparities and ensuring that women’s medical needs are prioritized. Indirect allyship, on the other hand, involves shaping healthcare institutions in ways that foster gender equity, such as advocating for policy changes, mentoring female professionals, and challenging discriminatory norms in leadership and governance. Both forms of allyship are necessary to create a truly inclusive healthcare system, and Dr. Njagi’s career demonstrates how these approaches can work in tandem.

There are valuable lessons to be learnt from Dr. Njagi’s work. One key takeaway is the importance of engaging men in conversations about gender equity. While increasing the number of women in leadership is crucial, sustainable change requires male allies who are willing to use their platforms to push for systemic reforms. Recognizing and celebrating male allies within WIHL’s framework can help encourage more men to take active roles in promoting gender equity.

Additionally, the project has incorporated male allyship in the workplace into its objectives; seeking to equip male healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools to support their female colleagues. By showcasing leaders like Dr. Njagi, WIHL can provide tangible examples of how men can contribute to gender-inclusive leadership in meaningful ways. Building a network of male allies who are committed to fostering an equitable healthcare system can further accelerate the project’s goals, ensuring that gender equity is embedded in institutional policies and practices.

Dr. Njagi’s advocacy also underscores the importance of addressing gender biases in medical research and funding. Many conditions that disproportionately affect women, such as endometriosis, remain underfunded and under-researched compared to other diseases. His efforts to raise awareness and push for greater investment in women’s health align with WIHL’s mission to create a healthcare system that values and prioritizes gender-responsive care. By collaborating with male allies in leadership positions, women in the healthcare leadership ladder can advocate for more equitable resource allocation and drive policy changes that benefit women at both the patient and professional levels.

The future of healthcare leadership should not be framed as a competition between men and women, but rather as a collaborative effort to build a system that works for everyone. Dr. Njagi’s career exemplifies how men in medicine can actively support gender equity, not as a favour to women, but as a necessary step toward a more effective and just healthcare system. His work in endometriosis treatment, mentorship, and policy advocacy provides a roadmap for how male allies can contribute to meaningful change. As WIHL continues to develop its framework for recognizing gender equity in healthcare leadership, incorporating male allies into the conversation will be crucial.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a healthcare system where leadership, innovation, and expertise are recognized based on merit rather than gender. Dr. Joseph Njagi’s journey is a testament to the power of allyship in achieving this vision. By continuing to engage both men and women in the push for gender equity, WIHL and similar initiatives can drive lasting change, ensuring that future generations of healthcare professionals work in an environment that is truly inclusive and representative of the populations they serve.

Article by: Judith Adhiambo Amolo