Gender Equality Week: How do we end inequity in medicine?

The fourth week of September is Gender Equality Week in Canada, an opportunity to celebrate the countless contributions of women and gender-diverse communities, as well as reconfirm our commitment to addressing the persistent gender inequities present throughout the country. 

This year’s theme, Unlocking Potential: Economic Power Through Gender Equality, highlights the need to dismantle gender-based barriers to help foster a thriving and equitable society and help create a future full of opportunities for everyone. 

Gender inequity in medicine 

Gender inequity in the medical profession is a result of individual and systemic bias, which affects female* physicians in areas of career advancement, income, job satisfaction, and mental wellbeing. At present, there is a lack of data regarding the effects of gender inequity on gender-diverse physicians, but many report similar experiences on an anecdotal level.

Studies show that female physicians are more likely to be bullied at work and are three times more likely than their male counterparts to report gender-based discrimination, with 30% of female medical students and physicians reporting experiences of sexual harassment.

Gender inequity at home

While there are specific concerns that relate to female physicians in the workplace, gender inequities also show up at home, mirroring patterns seen with women generally, regardless of occupation. On average, female doctors spend 100.2 minutes more per day to 8.5 hours more per week on household chores, childcare, and other caretaking activities than their male colleagues.

Doctors of BC Policy on Gender Equity in Medicine

While gender inequity in medicine is not a problem that can be solved solely through systemic changes in health care, there are specific actions that can be taken to improve the experiences of female and gender-diverse physicians.

In 2023, building on years of research and engagement with our diverse physician membership, Doctors of BC’s released the Gender Equity in the Medical Profession policy statement that includes recommendations and commitments to address the issue.

Among the recommendations was the call for the BC Ministry of Health, health authorities, and other physician employers to expand their efforts to identify, resolve, and prevent gender inequity by collaborating with physicians to:

• Remove and/or prevent gender pay gaps in fee codes and alternative payment plans

• Better accommodate doctors with children or other care-taking responsibilities

• Apply an equity lens when developing policy or making decisions that affect physicians

• Review hiring and promotion practices

• Evaluate equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies and processes

And as part of our commitments, we will continue to build upon our Diversity and Inclusion Barrier Assessment work to ensure the Association’s leadership and governance bodies (committees, the Board of Directors, and the Representative Assembly) reflect the diversity of the Association's membership. Additionally, we are working to ensure diversity and inclusion in our leadership by tracking the representation of women and gender-diverse physicians, analyzing gender pay gaps, and applying Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) in decision-making.

Doctors of BC’s policy work is informed by in-depth research, outreach to physicians throughout BC, and discussions with health care partners. Policy topics range from substance use care and health care scope of practice, to digital health initiatives. Learn more about Doctors of BC’s policy work on a variety of topics in our Policy Database.