Post by The Royal College of Surgeons of England

“Surgery is a remarkable career. Every woman who chooses it deserves the opportunity to thrive.” Felicity Meyer, Women in Surgery Chair. New data in our Bulletin show that women make up just 6% of surgeons in the UK’s major private hospital groups vs an already low 17% in the NHS. These gaps aren’t inevitable; they reflect barriers that still shape who can enter, progress and lead in surgery. We’re working to accelerate that progress by calling for transparent gender data, fair access to leadership roles and workplaces that are safe and inclusive. Our mentoring, return-to-work support, Emerging Leaders Programme and governance reforms are part of that commitment. Across the profession, women are breaking barriers, shaping their specialties and building long, fulfilling surgical careers. Their stories are at the heart of our exhibition, Insight: Portraits of Women in Surgery, at the Hunterian Museum. To mark #InternationalWomensDay, we’re hosting a free reception at the College this Tuesday. Everyone is welcome. Join us to celebrate the women at the heart of our surgical community: https://ow.ly/NSmh50Yq4CJ #IWD2026 Felicity Meyer Farah Bhatti OBE Prof. Stella Vig Vivien Lees Nuha Yassin Ginny Bowbrick Clara Owen-Vella Francisca Ferreira Ms (Dr) Samantha Tross Michaella Cameron MBCHB, BSC(HONS), MRCS(ENT) Deborah Eastwood Emily Mills Enya C. Sreelakshmi Mallappa