A bibliometric and systematic study on public policy, health, and culture in the transformation of gender equity

Introduction Gender equity remains a central issue in contemporary research and public policy, shaped by structural, cultural, and institutional inequalities. Despite increased academic attention, the field continues to exhibit fragmentation across disciplines and persistent gaps, particularly in intersectional and Global South perspectives. This study aims to analyze the evolution, patterns, and thematic structure of scientific production on gender equity from an interdisciplinary perspective. Methods A bibliometric review complemented with systematic elements was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 835 records were identified from Scopus and Web of Science, of which 129 peer-reviewed articles published between 1986 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria. Data were processed using R (version 4.4.2) for cleaning, filtering, and trend analysis, while VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) was used to map international collaboration networks and keyword co-occurrence patterns. Results Findings reveal a sustained increase in scientific production, particularly after 2011, with peak publication levels in 2023. Citation patterns indicate concentrated impact in specific years, notably 2002, 2011, and 2018. The analysis highlights the predominance of Global North institutions, thematic concentration in public policy, health, labor, and education, and limited representation of emerging areas such as environmental justice and technological inclusion. Additionally, collaboration networks exhibit asymmetrical structures, with unequal participation across regions. Discussion The study demonstrates that while research on gender equity has expanded quantitatively, it remains uneven in impact and scope. Persistent gaps in intersectionality, regional representation, and thematic diversification suggest the need for more inclusive and interdisciplinary approaches. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening collaborative networks, integrating diverse perspectives, and aligning academic production with transformative public policy strategies.