Bridging the gap: advancing gender equality in medical research

Gender inequality in medical research persists globally, hindering scientific innovation and social equity. Despite incremental progress, women remain underrepresented in authorship, funding, and leadership roles. This review explores the extent of gender disparities, their impact, and strategies to advance equity in the field.

We conducted a narrative review of studies retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, focusing on gender disparities in authorship, research funding, leadership, and editorial representation across regions and disciplines.

Women are consistently underrepresented in medical research, with disparities in publication rates, grant awards, and conference participation. Key barriers include implicit biases, structural inequities, and socio-cultural norms. Promising interventions, such as targeted funding policies and mentorship programs, show potential but require broader adoption and evaluation.

Addressing gender inequality in medical research demands comprehensive reforms in academic evaluation, funding systems, and institutional policies, alongside sustained efforts to challenge societal biases.