[Proportion of women on the executive boards and committees of 183 professional associations of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF)].

Abstract

The growing proportion of women in medical studentship and medical practice contrasts with their under-represented role in leadership positions in medical professional associations in Germany. Against this background, the proportion of women in top positions of medical professional associations in Germany has been analysed.A total of 1460 individuals were counted in the analysis of the composition of the boards/presidia of the 183 professional societies. The proportion of women on the boards/executive committees was 32.6%. Of the 183 professional societies, 47 (25.7%) were led by a woman as president. 72 (39.3%) women served as vice presidents. Only 39 (21.3%) professional societies had a proportion of women on the boards/executive committees ≥50%.There is a significant imbalance of female leadership positions in medical professional associations in Germany. To address this inequality, a strategy with multiple initiatives is needed that includes both career development programmes such as mentoring and the design of congress participation to ensure a balanced gender representation.