Is there a gender gap in global rheumatology leadership?

Abstract

Introduction: While the rheumatology workforce in many countries is increasingly becoming gender-balanced [1], advancing equity in academic recognition is still an unmet need. A report from 2015 estimated that 66% of fellows and 41% of rheumatologists in the USA are women. The same report predicted that by 2025 women will comprise the predominant majority of the rheumatology workforce. Similarly, in many European countries, including Belgium, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands and the UK, women comprise >50% of the rheumatology workforce [3]. Despite being in the majority, women in rheumatology are underrepresented in leadership positions. The gender equity in academic rheumatology initiative has sparked discussions on the effect of inequity in academia on assignment to leadership roles.