In this episode of our investigation into medical misogyny, Simphiwe Sesane sheds light on the health inequalities Black women face in the UK — and the urgent changes needed to tackle them.
Who is Simphiwe Sesane?
Sesane is a medical educator and nurse consultant on sexual and reproductive health. She is also the founder and CEO of Black Nurses and Midwives UK, a community of professionals and students committed to sharing their experiences as well as empowering others. Founded during the pandemic, one of its main goals is to provide mentorship because mentorship is a great help in retaining Black professionals, and it makes a difference in the long run because “representation matters” in the fight to get rid of health inequalities for Black women.
Health inequalities for Black women in the UK
According to UK maternal mortality data, Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than white women — a shocking statistic that hasn’t changed significantly in recent years.
Reflecting on her own experience, Sesane says, “We still aren’t taken seriously. We’re not listened to.”
“There is an assumption that Black women are strong and can endure a lot of pain. So when we ask for painkillers, we’re generally not given them, or we’re not counselled properly around our options.” – Sesane
According to Sesane, there is still a lack of trust between medical professionals and Black women, and the best way to move forward is respect and no prejudgment.
As a medical professional herself, Sesane is not exempt from this experience.
“I think sometimes when I talk about my experience, people think you’re working in healthcare, you’re almost immune to it. And it’s like, no, you’re actually not because at the end of the day, when I present, I’m still a Black woman and I’m still treated the same as any other Black woman despite anything else […] you could understand the lingo and still you’re not treated any different.” – Sesane
Black women and contraception
Contraception is one of the health inequalities for Black women. The general access to contraception is harder compared to a few years ago, and it is worth noting that a lot of contraception was not tested on Black and ethnic minority people.
Even when women book an appointment to discuss contraception options, a 2021 survey revealed that “actually women of colour felt coerced into specific methods, especially LARC methods, and they felt that their contraception appointments weren’t supportive of their needs”.
How to achieve health equity
Another area where Black women face systemic barriers is contraception — from access to how options are presented.
Sesane points out that women need to feel safe, supported, and heard, but right now, the lack of listening is a huge problem, causing health inequalities for Black women.
“It’s super frustrating because communication is the basis of everything in life, and we’re still getting it very wrong. And I think for Black women, there’s another layer due to other factors, including racism within healthcare, and we’re just not getting it right.” – Sesane
To solve this problem, Sesane says, “We need an uproar from the roots. And, there’s some deep, deep digging we need to do to just really turn it on its head, because we’re honestly, it feels like we’re taking more steps backwards than we are forwards at times”.
How to advocate for your health: Simphiwe Sesane’s tips
“You need to be equipped.” – Sesane
When it comes to advocating for your health and rights in medical settings, Sesane offers some key advice: Don’t be afraid to speak up — after all, “nobody knows your body better than you.” Always seek a second opinion when in doubt, bring someone along for support during appointments, and make sure to take notes to keep track of important information. These steps can make a significant difference in ensuring you receive the care and respect you deserve.
Sesane calls for actions as she says, “We’re very good at talking, but we’re not seeing the change. The talking isn’t enough — we need action.”
Listen to the Full Podcast Episode.
This podcast episode is part of the month-long series ‘Fobbed Off and Female, ‘ A series on medical misogyny, and we are speaking to people who are trying to end the gender health gap.
