Abstract
This manuscript highlights the persistent underrepresentation of women in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, despite increasing participation of females in medical training worldwide. It traces the historical milestones of pioneering women, illustrating the long-standing barriers faced by women in surgery. Globally, women still constitute a small fraction of practicing cardiothoracic surgeons in leadership, academic, and research roles. The literature demonstrates ongoing gender disparities in remuneration, mentorship, and career advancement, compounded by gender bias, stereotypes, and workplace toxicity. Despite these challenges, recent trends show increasing female involvement in scientific meetings, publications, and mentorship programmes, as well as suggesting that female surgeons often achieve superior surgical outcomes. The paper also emphasises critical global health needs, especially in low-resource settings where access to cardiothoracic care remains severely limited, and advocates for greater international collaboration, training, and remote education initiatives. The complex interplay of work-life balance challenges faced by women, highlighting the sacrifices necessary for a career in this demanding specialty, is discussed. Recognising the societal and healthcare benefits of diversifying the surgical workforce, the author calls for concerted efforts to address gender biases, promote mentorship, and expand opportunities for female cardiothoracic surgeons to better serve global populations, particularly in underserved regions worldwide.