Women make up nearly 70% of the global healthcare workforce, yet they remain underrepresented in leadership, medical research, and decision-making roles. In South Africa, female doctors often encounter barriers in accessing specialised training, funding, and equitable support from medical aid schemes. As we observe Human Rights Day 2025, it is crucial to recognise that access to opportunities, fair treatment, and equal representation in healthcare is not just a gender issue—it is a fundamental human rights issue.
Dr Moratwe Masima, medical doctor and Profmed ambassador, highlights the urgent need to address these disparities: “Healthcare is built on the principles of care and service, yet women—who form the backbone of the system—are still fighting for equal recognition and opportunities. Ensuring gender equality in medicine is not just about justice but about strengthening healthcare for all.”
From frontline care to groundbreaking research, women continue to shape the future of medicine. It is important to dismantle the barriers that hold them back and build a more equitable healthcare system where talent, not gender, determines success.
