Assoc Prof Archuleta added that underrepresentation is partly driven by intense work cultures in healthcare and academia that don’t accommodate women’s needs, particularly for those balancing roles like caregiving.
“It becomes difficult for them to meet the rigorous demands of medical and research fields, despite their capability to do so,” she said. “And when fewer women are involved in the top roles of healthcare and academia, the effects will be adverse downstream.
“Fewer journal topics on women’s health will be approved, less priority is given to secure the fair representation of women in research projects, and policies in the workplace and when treating patients may not consider women’s needs.”
Efforts to close the gap include policy changes to improve the representation of women in health and research.
At NUH, for example, there is an emphasis on having diverse representation in decision-making bodies. Assoc Prof Archuleta stressed that it’s not enough to have just one token woman in committees; these bodies must include women who are literate in women’s health issues.
Another key aspect that Assoc Prof Archuleta noted is the need to build a culture of male allies in the workplace and at home.
For many women, balancing a career with caregiving responsibilities – what Assoc Prof Archuleta called the “second shift” – can be overwhelming, especially for academic physicians juggling clinical work, teaching, research, and studies.
In 2019, the Equal Opportunities & Career Development was set up at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. It aims to make the medical workplace more inclusive for women, including setting up comfortable nursing rooms for working mums in hospitals and clinics, and pushing for more flexible hours for women with other caregiving duties.
“Providing more support for women in these fields is essential to help them navigate the demands of both work and life,” Assoc Prof Archuleta said. “When women feel more comfortable at work in hospitals, they will be better represented, leading to better health outcomes for women.”
