Excellent speakers speaking honestly about their experiences. Interesting thought, that experiencing your own diversity does not make you an expert on the experiences of others. You can of course still provide support!

representation is not the same as equity. Do women in surgery have the same opportunities for progression as their male counterparts

I am one of the medical students who are enthusiastic about surgery but many people do tell me it is going to be very hard for the life-work balance.

Knowing what you know now, What would be your top advice/tips for medical students who are keen to go into surgery in the future?

As a black female FY2 doctor who came into medicine at an older age with children, when I say I'm interested in surgery, I get odd looks and disbelief. There is a focus on parenting in surgery but it's more towards starting a family during training. Do you feel there are additional barriers with being older and having kids at the early stages of training or later? Any tips for staying motivated?

have the panel members faced a situation where they had to sacrifice their personal desires at the cost of the carrer choices

With awareness about women in surgery through RCS, more women in prominent roles with societies, and the increasing % of female consultants - I'm curious if the panel have experienced the view (from within/outside our specialty) that equity has been achieved?

I am so glad you are talking about the Kennedy Project - In the last week in my new rotation my AES threatened me with sex discrimination relating to my pregnancy (I don't want to be too detailed on the incident). My departments response has been disappointing - male consultants have made excuses for his behaviour. My deanery have reacted more robustly. I imagine this will become a formal grievance procedure. I am scared as a young doctor of this process - (1) Do you have any recommendations of resources surrounding women who have been through grievance processes and (2) can you recommend any resources/guidelines where I can gain more information on women in Surgery/equality

do the panel members find themselves expected to be experts in diversity just because of their identity

given the importance psychological safety have the panel members felt that the culture in which they work allows them to feel safe enough to speak up at work

Any tips on finding a mentor for core surgical training/specialty training?

Both speakers have talked about the influence of being part of a team in being drawn into surgery. How do they suggest we continue to inspire younger colleagues to consider surgery as such teams are disrupted?

Why women hesitate to go for surgery.

Happy international women's day