A new women’s network is set to launch in April, bringing health professionals together to support equity in the workforce, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow announced today (Saturday 8 March.)
The announcement coincides with International Women’s Day (IWD), an opportunity to highlight the strength, achievements and positive impact of women around the world.
IWD has been celebrated for more than 100 years. The 2025 campaign, Accelerate Action, is a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activity that positively impact women’s advancement, and to support and elevate their implementation.
However, it also acknowledges that there is still a long way to go before we reach gender equity. Last year, the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery’s independent report, Breaking the Silence: Addressing Sexual Misconduct in Healthcare, revealed the dangerous impact of inequality.
The findings showed that two thirds of female respondents (63.3%) had been the target of sexual harassment from colleagues, along with almost a quarter of men (23.7 percent). Almost 30% of women reported being the target of sexual assault in the last five years.
While the report focused on surgery in the UK, it is acknowledged that harassment and sexual misconduct affects all professions in healthcare around the world.
The College has set out a 10-point action plan aimed at tackling sexual misconduct in healthcare.
Professor Christine Goodall Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery and the College’s representative on the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct, said: “Today, I’m glad to share that we are launching our Women’s Network, outlined in point 10 of the plan.
“We look forward to hosting our first meeting, which will take place on Tuesday 22 April 2025 here at College and will also be available to join online.
“Here we will discuss the purpose and aims of the network and update on the work the College has been involved in. We also want to hear from you on future actions we can take to support gender equity in the workforce.
“As a representative on the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct, I’m aware of the long road ahead. However, as healthcare professionals working together, we have the power to make a difference.”
If you are interested in joining our women’s network, please email us at policynetwork@rcpsg.ac.uk