Maintaining momentum on gender equity

A decade of heightened awareness of, and action towards, gender equity—including the pervasive MeToo movement—appears to have done little combat bias against women. Gender is as entrenched ever, according 2023 Social Norms Index (GSNI) report from United Nations Development Programme, with a shocking nine out ten people (of all genders) globally reporting biases In face such sobering figures, it imperative that we regain—and maintain—momentum in drive improve global equity. The disheartening statistics GSNI are myriad. For example, there remains 39% salary gap between women men globally, do three times more unpaid care domestic work than men. World Economic Forum estimates economic will take 132 years close, substantial downgrade compared 2020 estimate 100 years. Given only considered binary variable (male vs female), non-binary diverse uncertain unquantified. Within rheumatology, although comprise half clinical rheumatologists many countries, they under-represented academic positions, less likely receive prestigious awards, experienced discrimination. terms authorship, be first authors research articles but senior authors, particularly on randomised controlled trials guidelines. It now well known COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected multiple ways, including by diminishing their output. According new bibliometric analysis survey Margaret Andrews colleagues, proportion rheumatology papers declined substantially during year pandemic, among original (18% 43% 2019). More attributed this decreased output increased family duties, those young children (77% 34% younger 12 years). Once again, impact individuals black box; report, study colleagues assessed variable. As written past, Lancet Rheumatology committed addressing reporting—in 2021, reiterated commitment Sex Equity Research (SAGER) guidelines began request data accepted manuscripts disaggregated sex or gender, appropriate. journals also collect self-reported race, ethnicity our peer reviewers, an effort better understand diversity representativeness contributors. recent efforts, published detailed recommendations sex-based gender-based analyses—guidance consistent across 2000 Elsevier—and developed SAGER checklist. But reported can good collected. To fully how aspects interact interface medicine health-care provision, these variables design. So far, UK has lagged behind other countries (eg, USA, Canada, Europe) regard—to date, none 17 largest medical funders major regulators policies place ensure appropriately addressed at point which projects funded. change afoot—the MESSAGE project, led George Institute for Global Health Imperial College London funded Wellcome Trust, aims develop best practice policy framework gendered health outcomes UK. Going forward, essential define inclusive way allow us myriad ways care. Evoking require sustained buy-in stakeholders spectrum—including clinicians, researchers, funders, regulatory bodies, journals, public. Only players working towards common cause improvements practices equitable entire spectrum.