Gender equity gap persists, addressing the root cause through the lens of gynecologic oncology: An evidenced-based review

Abstract

Many studies have addressed the inequities of gender within medicine. And although more attention has been brought to this topic in the past couple of decades, studies demonstrate that there is an equity gap in the workplace, in the research sphere, and in pay compensation. Internet searches prove that leadership in academic spaces as well as private practice both remain predominantly male. As an example, the field of gynecologic oncology is a field that specifically addresses and serves the health needs of patients who identify as women. However, although the specialty should be at the forefront of the effort to address gender inequities, it still has considerable progress to make in this area. This article seeks to describe the literature regarding gender disparities in medicine, and what gender equity can look like while laying out strategies to address the inequities that persist – using gynecologic oncology as an example.