Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Gender inequity in medical academic forums persists despite attempts to ensure better gender equality. In this study, we aimed to assess the proportion of female award and grant winners in both the ESCMID global and IDWeek conferences. METHODS: Female award and grant winners in infectious diseases conferences (2009-2023) were evaluated. Data were collected from the conferences' program book and websites. Gender for each award or grant recipient was assessed using Genderize.io or, if inconclusive, manually. We summarized proportions of women award/grant winners by society and over time. RESULTS: Between 2009 and 2023, 39% (34/88) of ESCMID award winners and 57% (858/1504) of grant winners were women; For IDWeek, 32% (39/122) of award winners and 68% (17/25) of grant winners were women. For both societies there was a clear increase in women's representation from 2009 to 2014, with stabilization thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Representation of women in conferences has vastly improved over the years, though additional policies and programs are needed to reduce the remaining gender disparities.