What does #EachforEqual mean to you?

#EachforEqual highlights that collectively, we can each make a difference in creating a gender-balanced world.

For International Women's Day 2020. we've asked some of our members what #EachforEqual means to them. If you have any questions about AOA's Orthopaedic Women's Link (OWL), feel free to contact owl@aoa.org.au

OWL Chair Jennifer Green

"Whether it is #eachforequal or #weareallortho, evidence proves that diversity attracts the top talent and leads to greater innovation and better decision making."

AOA Scientific Secretary Richard Page

"Equality and opportunity principles are to enable all, whilst recognising the individual to provide equity and access to healthcare. To provide excellent care we need to cater for and encourage across the spectrum of diversity. For gender, this means to recognise at least half the patients we treat are female, so rightfully half the care provided should match.

Provision of surgery should aim to mirror community needs and social expectations. In turn enriching our culture, ideas and behaviour, so improving outcomes for patients and paving the way for the next generation for society and our families.

Half the need = half the team."

AOA 21 Trainee Anton Lambers

"#EachforEqual for me means everyone brings something to the table. Treat all of your colleagues equally and with respect, irrespective of gender, job role or nationality, and you’ll be amazed at how you will empower them to contribute to the team."

OWL Member Catherine McDougall

"#eachforequal encourages me to lead by example – to be authentic, honest and respectful, and to strive to be lauded only for my actions. As a group, it challenges us to consider how we determine credibility within our profession, to be open to different journeys and to be more inclusive."

OWL Member Juliette Gentle

"#eachforequal – I will model values of equality and inclusion, and support those around me to do the same."

OWL Member Kerin Fielding

“One of my most rewarding experiences, greatest challenge and responsibility, is to mentor junior doctors in the prevocational space. We need diversity in surgery, in medicine, and in all specialties, to bring quality healthcare to our population, in particular to rural and remote patients, who at the moment experience a significant lack of access to healthcare services and have significantly poorer outcomes. In particular, our Indigenous patients suffer the poorest outcomes in our society and we must be vigilant in correcting this imbalance. Teaching the junior doctors is an absolute privilege.”