Gender Disparities in Academic Rank and Writing amongst Medical Faculty Members

Abstract

Background: Pakistan is a proud country with its rich cultural values. A perfect woman is considered the one who is a good subordinate and most skillful in the kitchen, making round chapatis is the highlight of those skills. Although as a nation, stereotypical norms have shifted and females are encouraged to get medical education and become doctors, their academic contribution and representation in higher academic rank seems scarce. Methodology: In this study, we investigate gender differences in academic ranks and research in renowned Medical Institutions of Pakistan. Websites of three institutions were used to identify male and female faculty members, their respective publications were counted using “Pakmedinet.com” and “Scholar.google.com”. Results: A one-way ANOVA showed significant difference in the male female ratio at higher academic ranks. This ratio drastically increases at Full Professor level where males are three times more than female Professors. ANOVA results also show that publications by male faculty members is significantly higher than females. Even on the same rank, women have not published their work in the same capacity as men. Conclusion: The results are in alignment with several previous studies that indicate gender disparities between males and females especially as they climb up the academic ladder. Publications are a measure of academic productivity. This study suggests that although female representation as faculty members have increased over the years, their lack of frequent publications might be a factor that hinders women in advancing in academic ranks. Continued studies are required to explore more reasons for this gender inequality and highlight methods to address the imbalance.