Women speakers in healthcare: taking steps towards balanced gender representation

Abstract

International evidence suggests that although the proportion of women speakers at medical conferences has increased during the last decade, women continue to be significantly underrepresented.1 Women comprise the majority of the health and social care workforce in the UK, yet occupy approximately 41% of seats on NHS organisational boards and remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions across the sector.2 Conferences offer unrivalled opportunities: to showcase diversity and inclusivity, for networking and as a lever for cultural and organisational change. Female representation at healthcare events is important in …