Gender and regional equity in the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology: a longitudinal analysis of a professional medical society

Background Professional medical societies play an essential role in shaping clinical standards, education, leadership pathways, and workforce development within healthcare systems, thereby enhancing clinical practice and patient care worldwide. However, empirical data on gender and regional equity within such organizations remain limited. This study aimed to assess longitudinal trends in membership composition and governance representation within the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and the European Network of Young Gynaecological Oncologists (ENYGO). Methods We analysed ESGO and ENYGO membership and governance data from 2013 to 2024. In addition to descriptive analyses, multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify predictors of female membership and Council representation, including ENYGO status, time, and United Nations geographic regions. Results ESGO and ENYGO memberships increased from 1,588 in 2013 to 3,385 in 2024, with female members achieving parity, largely associated with ENYGO participation (OR 1.82, 95% CI 0.73-1.91, P <0.001) and increasing over time (OR 1.04 per year, 95% CI 1.03-1.05, P <0.001). Female representation varied across regions, with higher odds in Northern Europe (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.55-1.84, P <0.001) and lower odds in Eastern Europe (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.71-0.85, P <0.001) and non-European regions (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.74-0.86, P <0.001). In governance analyses, gender was not associated with Council membership (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.63-1.42, P =0.787), and no independent temporal trend was observed (OR 0.91 per term, 95% CI 0.81-1.03, P =0.133). Regional variation was evident, with lower odds of Council representation in Eastern Europe (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.28-0.98, P =0.052), while estimates for non-European regions were unstable due to sparse representation. Conclusions ESGO and ENYGO demonstrated substantial progress in gender equity at the membership level; however, governance representation is primarily influenced by regional factors rather than gender. These findings highlight the importance of equity-focused strategies addressing geographic disparities while sustaining gender-balanced leadership development.