On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the resilience of women who have defied the odds to create a better future for themselves, their communities, and women and girls around them. Sia Eugénie Tolno is one of those women. She is a Clinical Mentor with Integrate Health, providing peer coaching to nurses and midwives at the Koumana Health Center in the Kouroussa district in Guinea. Her journey—rising to a leadership role in a patriarchal setting—is a story of determination, courage, and the power of investing in women leaders. In a world where gender equality is still an uphill battle, Eugénie stands as proof that progress is possible when we accelerate action.
Overcoming adversity
Eugénie’s early years were filled with hardship. She grew up in a poor household, and education was never guaranteed. Before she could attend school, she was expected to complete household chores and work in the fields, not because her adoptive parents didn’t believe in girls’ education, but because it was the only way to make ends meet. Her determination to learn, however, was stronger. “It was harder for me,” Eugénie says. “I was tired and missed many days of school, but knew I had to keep trying.” Since she was a young girl, Eugénie had a dream: that one day she’d become a doctor. One of her neighbors was a doctor, and he would come back to visit his family from time to time. She was immediately drawn by his aura, how he was respected and how people would turn to him in times of need. She saw in him a model of service and impact, something she aspired to embody.
Her dreams of a medical career remained strong despite all the barriers a woman with her background faced. This fueled her determination to study and learn. She sat for her middle school exams multiple times before succeeding, but continued to study and save money until she could enroll in a community health program. It was a difficult transition, moving from her village to a large city like Kankan while making her first steps into a male-dominated space, but it was her first real step toward independence. Determined to turn her education into action, she began working with local and international organizations tackling malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV, immersing herself in the realities of community health. It was through these experiences that she built the foundation of her career, learning how to navigate complex health challenges, engage with communities, and advocate for those who need it the most. While working with Catholic Relief Services, first as a volunteer, then as a field officer, she put herself through nursing school.
A turning point: joining Integrate Health
Eugénie’s journey took a pivotal turn when she discovered an opportunity with Integrate Health. When she first saw the job posting, she hesitated, convinced that she didn’t stand a chance. She nearly let the deadline pass, but on the very last day, she gathered the courage to submit her application. When she received a call for an interview, she was in shock—she couldn’t believe that she had been selected. She had spent years fighting to belong in spaces where women like her were rarely seen. Now, she was stepping into a role that would not only challenge her but allow her to make an even greater impact. She was drawn to the role of Clinical Mentor because it meant more responsibilities. Unlike previous positions where she lacked supervision and learning opportunities, her role at Integrate Health provided her with structured training, mentorship, and a network of support.
Through her role, Eugénie is a mentor and coach to Community Relays (Guinea’s equivalent of Togo’s Community Health Workers), their supervisors, and clinical staff working at the health center where she’s assigned. She provides critical and continued medical education, feedback, and support to improve patient care, health center management, and the medical supply chain. However, being a woman in a leadership position in a deeply patriarchal society came with relentless challenges. Many male colleagues and community members initially refused to take her seriously, questioning her authority and expertise. Some resisted her instructions, assuming she lacked the necessary knowledge to lead. Others doubted her ability to supervise male health workers, expecting her to defer to them instead.
Eugénie overcame these barriers through persistence and confidence. But she also learned that leadership didn’t stop at proving herself: it was about working strategically. To navigate male-dominated spaces, she implemented key strategies: active listening to gain trust, close coaching to support her team, and engaging men in collaborative decision-making to create buy-in. Over time, she realized that her ability to listen, empathize, and lead by example was changing perceptions. By working with, rather than against, the structures around her, she found a way to make her leadership not only accepted but respected. She became a trusted leader in her field, proving that gender should never be a barrier to success.
Eugénie feels grateful for this opportunity. When she talks about her role today, she says she has found another family. “I never had the chance to lead and be supported like I am today. Whether it’s the other Mentors or the Program Manager, I always have someone to seek advice and rely on. There is a true learning culture, and that’s exactly what I need to continue growing and get closer my dream.”
Investing in women to accelerate action
Eugénie’s work goes beyond individual achievements. She is inspiring other young women, encouraging them to pursue education and careers. She has become a role model for many, including her sister and her daughter, proving that women can lead, innovate, and create change. Her mother, once skeptical of her ambitions, now calls her “the light of the family.” Eugénie now knows that every time she steps into a room as a leader, she is rewriting what is possible for women in her community. “I want to tell women that we are capable of success. What a man can do, we can do too,” she says with conviction. Her story is not just her own; it is hope for all women fighting for their rightful place.
At Integrate Health, we believe that investing in women like Eugénie is one of the most powerful ways to transform communities. Women make up the majority of the healthcare workforce but are often underpaid, undervalued, and underrepresented in leadership. By providing them with the resources, training, and support they need, we not only improve healthcare outcomes but also create opportunities for women to lead.
Integrate Health is committed to ensuring women have the opportunities, resources, and respect they deserve. As we mark this day, let us celebrate stories like Eugénie’s and further commit to action. By investing in women, challenging systemic inequalities, and amplifying voices of change, we can create a world where no woman or girl is left behind.
Join us in supporting women leaders. Together, we can accelerate action and drive lasting change.