The gender gap in pediatric surgery: Barriers, disparities, and the way forward

Background

Social media movements such as #ILookLikeASurgeon and the #NYerORCoverChallenge have highlighted the lack of visibility of women in the formerly male-dominated field of surgery. This issue, known as the gender career gap, is especially evident in pediatric surgery, where women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. The “glass ceiling” and “leaky pipeline” metaphors summarize these challenges. Addressing the “leaky pipeline” is crucial, not just for individual satisfaction but to retain qualified staff in light of a looming shortage of surgeons. With this study we aim to analyze the current situation and determine possible solutions.

Materials and methods

A web-based survey was distributed globally through pediatric surgery associations and LinkedIn, gathering 185 responses. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, Stata, and NVivo.

Results

Seventy-four percent of female participants believed that gender impacts career opportunities, compared to only 32 % of male respondents. Additionally, 93 % of women reported experiencing sexual discrimination, and 42 % experienced sexual harassment. Regarding parenthood and career progression, 71 % of men did not reduce their work for childcare, whereas 29 % of women did, taking significantly longer periods off for caregiving. Proposed solutions included improving parental leave, offering part-time work options, and implementing mentorship programs to support women in the field.

Conclusion

Gender inequality in pediatric surgery is multifaceted, involving disparities in career advancement, discrimination, and parenthood impacts. Addressing these issues is vital to close the gender gap and ensure a high-qualified future workforce.