Women oncologists across 18 Latin American countries: A multinational survey of professional barriers, leadership, and pay equity
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Women oncologists in Latin America play an essential role in cancer care but face persistent challenges related to leadership representation, career advancement, salary equity, and work-life balance. This study aimed to analyze the professional experiences and perceived barriers among women oncologists across Latin America. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using an online survey distributed through professional networks between October 2023 and March 2024. A total of 350 women oncologists from 18 Latin American countries participated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations with IBM SPSS version 27. Results: Seventy-seven percent of respondents reported needing to work harder than male colleagues to gain professional recognition. Motherhood was perceived as a barrier to career progression by 60.9% of participants, and 51% reported reducing their working hours after having children. Between 30% and 40% reported experiencing maternity-related discrimination. While 60.3% perceived their salary as equitable compared with male counterparts, 24.6% disagreed. High levels of work-related stress were reported by 67.7% of respondents. Women's representation in leadership positions remained limited overall, averaging 28.7% across institutions, although proportions ranged from approximately 30% to 35% in some specialties. Conclusion: Women oncologists in Latin America continue to report perceived barriers related to leadership opportunities, career progression, and work-life balance. This multinational survey provides an important regional baseline for understanding gender-related professional dynamics and highlights the need for institutional strategies that promote gender equity and leadership development in oncology across the region.
Source: Dialogues in Health
Authors: Lijia Aviles, Lucia Richter Paz, Karinthia Ballón, Kaory Barahona, Andrea Benítez, Dolores de la Mata, Naly Cruz, Maria Elena Lara, Romy Gómez, Lina M. Loaiza, Belkis López, Lilian Faroni, Rebeca Schwartzmann, Erika Ugarte, Loreto Yañez, María del Carmen Torrico, Jennifer Domínguez, Gloria Rodriguez, Dahiana Amarillo, Ingrid Hurtado, Rasha Aboelhassan, Carmen Pinto
Language: English
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,130
OpenAlex ID: W7151534546