Careers for women in the sciences, engineering and technology are still few and far between. Although the openings and opportunities are there for women, it seems that many professions remain closed to the majority and that women are reluctant to take up the challenge. Careers in medicine are one area in which women have excelled, with women making up 58% of the intake to new medical schools yet it seems that one field of medicine that is not reflecting this trend, is surgery. Women make up less that 6% of the number of surgeons. However, women make excellent surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons is now trying to attract more women to take up the knife! An art exhibition held at the Royal College of Surgeons in 2008 celebrated the lives and careers of six top women surgeons who specialise in different fields of medicine as part of their drive to get more women to become surgeons. The aim was to have 20% women surgeons by the year 2010 but this figure has not yet been reached.
Women in Surgery or WinS, is a national organisation which works to promote more women in the field and to help them realise their professional goals. This organisation serves as a network to any woman working in surgery from medical school upwards. For women starting out on a difficult career in a predominately male environment, this organisation provides invaluable support and inspiration
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