Gender Diversity in Plastic Surgery: Progress and Perspectives From Qatar

Although women now make up a large proportion of medical graduates in Qatar, their representation in surgical specialties—particularly in leadership roles—has historically lagged behind. This reflects global patterns of systemic and cultural bias that associate surgical competence with stereotypically “masculine” traits such as assertiveness and decisiveness, creating barriers for women who aspire to leadership.1 For many years, plastic surgery in Qatar was exclusively led by men, and there were no female Qatari plastic surgeons. Such inequities mirror international findings showing that women surgeons often face fewer referrals, limited mentorship, and slower career progression compared with their male peers.2 In recent years, female empowerment initiatives and institutional support have enabled more women to enter and advance in surgical fields, resulting in the rise of female surgeons in academic and leadership roles. A key figure in this progress is Dr. Abeer Alsherawi, the first female Qatari plastic surgeon, who is double board-certified in Germany. She serves as a core member of the Skin Cancer Multidisciplinary Team; chair of the Qatari Board Examination Committee for Plastic Surgery; and chair of research, associate program director, and assistant professor at Qatar University. Under her leadership, Qatar’s plastic surgery program launched the nation’s first upper extremity flap dissection course allowing residents to master more than 20 flap techniques locally, a groundbreaking step toward advancing surgical education in Qatar.3 This progress aligns with broader trends of gender diversity in the specialty. Currently, female residents constitute about 40% of the national plastic surgery residency program, which has graduated 5 female surgeons since its inception in 2012. This highlights the growing tendency for women to pursue plastic surgery as a career, an encouraging contrast to earlier decades when female participation was nearly absent. Reflecting this shift, the the plastic surgery program’s director and associate directors and the facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship program director are all women, a notable departure from the male-only leadership of the past.4 The shift reflects Qatar’s strong national and institutional support for women in surgery through an empowering healthcare system and dedicated resources. The establishment of the national College of Medicine in 2021 furthered this progress, with Dr. Al-Mohannadi becoming the first female Qatari national graduate to join plastic surgery training and serve as a role model for future generations. Further research could assess how increasing diversity impacts trainee perceptions, recruitment, and patient outcomes in Qatar and the wider Middle East. The current leadership remains committed to promoting gender equity and empowering women for leadership roles nationally and internationally. Dr. Alsherawi’s representation in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons International Women Plastic Surgeons Forum reflects this commitment, fostering gender equality, mentorship, and global collaboration among female plastic surgeons. In summary, the rise of female leadership in Qatari plastic surgery, supported by institutional innovation and cultural transformation, reflects significant progress toward equity and excellence. With more women entering and completing residency training, Qatar exemplifies how inclusivity and empowerment can reshape surgical education, fostering future generations of female innovators, educators, and leaders. DISCLOSURE The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of female plastic surgeons worldwide who, through their dedication and perseverance, have advanced the specialty despite the challenges inherent to surgical practice. Their commitment to innovation in patient care, education, and research has strengthened the field of plastic surgery and continues to promote greater equity and inclusion within the profession.