Heart Heroes marks International Women’s Day by organizing a special meeting day on Friday, March 8th. Ambassadors Chloé Herbiert, Lola Mansour, Hanne Claes, and Carole Bam gathered to participate in training sessions for Belgian sports clubs. However, during this day, an important question was raised: why are the mannequins used predominantly male?

This question highlights the crucial importance of gender equality, even in essential areas such as first aid. The exclusive use of male mannequins in first aid training may perpetuate gender stereotypes and make some individuals uncomfortable when providing first aid to women. This preference for male mannequins may stem from various reasons, including cultural and social considerations.

Researchers have attempted to understand the reasons for this gender gap. One hypothesis was that bystanders might be hesitant to perform CPR on a woman, particularly due to the need to touch the chest without her consent. However, the collected data did not confirm this hypothesis, indicating that women were less likely to receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation from a bystander, regardless of their age.

It is crucial to recognize and overcome these barriers to ensure effective intervention in cases of cardiac arrest, regardless of the gender of the person in distress. By adapting training to the realities of human diversity and raising awareness among responders about the differences in symptoms of cardiac arrest between men and women, we can better prepare everyone to respond to the needs of the community, contributing to promoting a more inclusive and egalitarian society.

Click here to discover the video: women’s rights video