Ryan-Coker Marcella F D, Ayumba Mwanaidi, Velin Lotta, Magzoub Ala, Nzisabira Joselyne, Gwini Grace Paidamoyo, Girma Samuel Mesfin, Fissha Aemon Berhane, Paterson Amy
Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Deanery of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland.
East Afr Health Res J. 2024;8(3):443-448. doi: 10.24248/eahrj.v8i3.815. Epub 2025 Jan 30.
The surgical field in Africa has long grappled with a gender imbalance, with women being significantly underrepresented. Despite global efforts to foster gender diversity in healthcare practices, African women pursuing surgical careers still face substantial hurdles. This paper investigates these women's experiences and challenges, aiming to raise awareness of these issues and propose strategies for improving gender equity.
To describe contextual aspects of barriers affecting women in surgery in Africa.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted, targeting female medical students interested in surgical careers, interns, trainees, and surgical consultants across Africa. The survey was distributed in November-December 2021. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics for quantitative data and a simplified thematic analysis for qualitative data.
A total of 105 participants from 17 countries, aged 20 to 50 years and with various training levels, completed the survey. General surgery was the most common speciality among the respondents. Notably, 63% reported gender-based discrimination, with many (74%) attributing societal and familial discouragement and financial commitments as major barriers to pursuing surgical careers. Participants also shared experiences of gender-based inequity, underestimation of their skills, sexist comments, and even instances of sexual harassment during training or work.
This study sheds light on the complex barriers African women face in pursuit of surgical careers. To enhance diversity in the field, fundamental change is required. This necessitates recognising the underlying causes hindering women's progress in surgery and the implementation of interventions to promote gender equity.
长期以来，非洲外科领域一直存在性别失衡问题，女性代表人数严重不足。尽管全球都在努力促进医疗行业的性别多样性，但追求外科职业的非洲女性仍面临重大障碍。本文调查了这些女性的经历和挑战，旨在提高对这些问题的认识，并提出改善性别平等的策略。
描述影响非洲外科领域女性的障碍的背景情况。
开展了一项横断面调查，目标对象是非洲各地对外科职业感兴趣的女医学生、实习生、受训人员和外科顾问。该调查于2021年11月至12月进行。对定量数据采用描述性统计分析，对定性数据采用简化的主题分析。
共有来自17个国家、年龄在20至50岁之间且具有不同培训水平的105名参与者完成了调查。普通外科是受访者中最常见的专业。值得注意的是，63%的人报告遭遇了基于性别的歧视，许多人（74%）将社会和家庭的劝阻以及经济负担视为追求外科职业的主要障碍。参与者还分享了基于性别的不平等经历、技能被低估、性别歧视言论，甚至在培训或工作期间遭受性骚扰的事例。
本研究揭示了非洲女性在追求外科职业过程中面临的复杂障碍。为了提高该领域的多样性，需要进行根本性变革。这就需要认识到阻碍女性在外科领域取得进展的根本原因，并实施促进性别平等的干预措施。
