Declining female representation with advancing academic rank in veterinary institutions from non-Western countries

Gender equity in academic veterinary science remains underexplored outside of Western countries. This study aimed to evaluate gender representation across academic ranks within veterinary institutions in Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. Data on academic staff were collected from 96 veterinary schools across 39 countries between September 2023 and April 2024. Gender was inferred through institutional websites, online academic platforms, and machine-learning tools, and academic ranks were standardised into four categories: Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. Generalised linear models were used to assess the relationship between gender and academic rank in each region. Across all regions, male academics were more represented at higher academic ranks. Female representation declined significantly with increasing rank in all regions (p < 0.0001). The percentage of female academics ranged widely, from 7 % (Nepal) to 68 % (Myanmar and Peru). Asia had the lowest overall female representation (29 %), followed by the Middle East (40 %), Latin America (43 %), and Sub-Saharan Africa (44 %). The decline in female representation across ranks was steepest in Asia and the Middle East, while Sub-Saharan Africa exhibited a slower decline and was the only region where female representation increased at the Professor level compared to Associate Professor. Despite regional variation, veterinary academia in non-Western countries remains male-dominated, particularly at senior levels. However, the observed patterns in Africa and Latin America may reflect emerging progress in gender equity. Addressing structural and cultural barriers to academic advancement is essential to support the career progression of women in veterinary science globally.