It is safe to say that polio eradication would not be possible without the contribution of women. This International Women’s Day, the theme is ‘Make It Happen: encouraging effective action for advancing and recognising women’.

Women in polio eradication vaccinate children on the frontline, implement strong surveillance and data analysis systems, provide technical and scientific support to governments, and mobilize communities. Says Melinda Mailhot of the World Health Organization on the significance of this contribution: “Without the millions of women – mothers, aunts, and big sisters – who have accompanied their children to vaccination posts, opened their doors to vaccinators and worked to deliver the vaccine themselves, we would not be this close to eradicating polio.”