Women oncologists across 18 Latin American countries: A multinational survey of professional barriers, leadership, and pay equity

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.