11 May 2022

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians says that gender inequity continues to have a serious impact on the careers of physicians in the medical workforce – and action is well overdue.

This will be the topic of a Gender Equity in Medicine session at RACP Congress 2022, an annual event that is running this year from 12 to 14 May.

RACP President-elect and Paediatrician, Dr Jacqueline Small, will take over Presidency of the College on May 13, during RACP Congress 2022. Dr Jacqueline Small says that gender equity is everyone’s business – and all healthcare workers have a role to play in tackling it.

“We know that women face enormous barriers in entering and progressing through their medical careers, compared to their male counterparts.

“Whether it’s the challenges of starting a family during their training years, discrimination faced when applying for positions, sexual harassment in the workplace or a lack of flexible work – these are all challenges that women unfortunately face in their careers.

“There is a dire need for total system reform to reduce these barriers for women – and we are all part of the solution. 

“Addressing gender inequity in medicine requires a systemic approach – including efforts by Government, employers, accreditation providers, unions, and the workforce itself.

A dedicated Gender Equity in Medicine session will be held to discuss these challenges with members and what we can all do as part of the RACP’s plan to address them.

Find out more about RACP Congress 2022: https://event.racpevents.edu.au/racp-congress-2022/