She can, she will: Women leading change in paramedicine

In the dynamic and demanding profession of paramedicine, women have long played a vital role in patient care and community health. Yet despite their contributions, gender disparities persist in our profession - particularly in leadership positions, research, and in many roles where women remain underrepresented (Cassidy et al.; 2023; Hanna-Osborne; 2019; McFarlane et al. 2023).

We seek to establish not just gender parity but gender equality within our profession. The Australasian College of Paramedicine Women in Paramedicine (WIP) Committee is dedicated to driving meaningful change, ensuring women in the profession receive the representation, support, and resources they need to thrive.

Following feedback, the WIP Committee was recently re-established to address the systemic barriers that hinder women’s full participation in paramedicine and to better advocate for the needs of our members. From workplace flexibility to leadership pathways, we are dedicated to advocating for policies and initiatives that create an inclusive and supportive environment for all women, regardless of their geographical location or employer.

Women in Paramedicine Committee members

• Alisha McFarlane (NSW) - Acting Chair
• Keita James (QLD)
• Ekaterina (Kat) Puzanova (SA)
• Nicole Jones (NZ)
• Melissa Alexander (SA)
• Megan Parr (NZ)
• Lisa Hobbs (QLD)
• Judy Sheahan (WA)
• Lauren Clothier (QLD)
• Liane Harnett (NSW)
• Julie Hughes (QLD)
• Ruiyi Yin (QLD)

Our work is driven by the principle that diversity in paramedicine is not just an equity issue; it is essential for improved patient outcomes (Hanna-Osborne; 2019; Leigh et al.,2019), a more resilient workforce, and a profession that reflects the communities it serves. When women are empowered, the entire profession benefits (Acker, 1990; Cassidy et al.; 2023; Foley et al., 2020; Hanna-Osborne, 2019; McFarlane et al.; 2023).

This year, our committee is focusing on several critical areas that will improve representation, support career progression, and enhance workplace equality for women in paramedicine. Increasing the representation of diverse women in paramedicine is a priority. Women in paramedicine come from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and career aspirations, and this diversity should be reflected at every level of the profession. We want to support policies that encourage diverse hiring and retention practices, and that our research initiatives highlight the unique experiences of women from various backgrounds. Recognition of the intersectional challenges faced by women from different cultural and social groups remains crucial in achieving true inclusivity.

Ensuring that all women in paramedicine have access to health resources and workplace flexibility is another key focus area. The College supports the notion that women’s health should be integrated into workplace policies, including parental leave, menopause-related health considerations, and safe return-to-work pathways.

The WIP Committee has already begun work on collating resources for members to access on our website, ensuring that valuable information on workplace flexibility, women’s health, leadership pathways, and research opportunities is readily available. By gathering evidence-based materials, best-practice guidelines, and personal insights from women in the profession, we aim to create a central repository that empowers members with knowledge and support.

This initiative will help bridge the information gap, allowing paramedics - regardless of location or employer - to access the tools they need to effectively navigate their careers. As we continue to expand these resources, we encourage contributions and feedback from our members to ensure the materials remain relevant and impactful.

Despite making up a significant portion of the workforce, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles and specialised areas of paramedicine (Cassidy et al. 2023; Hanna-Osborne, 2019). To address this, the committee is focused on developing mentorship programs that provide guidance and networking opportunities for aspiring female leaders while advocating for greater visibility of women in specialised roles such as aeromedical and retrieval medicine, critical care, extended care and community paramedicine.

The advancement of paramedicine as a profession relies on research (Mdletshe; 2023). In 2025, we are increasing efforts to provide mentorship opportunities for women interested in research and academia while building accessible pathways for paramedics to engage in research that informs best practice. Supporting women researchers is essential to fostering diverse perspectives, driving innovation, and ensuring that the evidence base in paramedicine reflects the experiences and needs of all practitioners. We aim to create networks that connect aspiring researchers with established mentors, advocate for increased funding opportunities, and highlight the contributions of women-led research in paramedicine.

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women in paramedicine and acknowledge the impact they have on the profession and the communities they serve. On March 8, we will reflect on the progress made, recognise the challenges that remain, and recommit to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where women can thrive. Across all roles and levels, women bring invaluable expertise, compassion, and leadership that strengthen the profession and improve patient outcomes. On this day, we acknowledge their dedication to the profession and their community and celebrate all the wonderful things they contribute - through their skills, resilience, and leadership - that enhance paramedicine and positively impact those for whom they care.

The WIP Committee is not just about discussion - it is about action. By working collectively, we can dismantle barriers, foster supportive workplaces, and ensure that women are not just present but thriving in every aspect of paramedicine. We invite all paramedics, regardless of gender, to support these initiatives. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply amplifying the voices of women in paramedicine, change starts with collective effort. Together, we can shape a profession where women are seen, heard, and supported at every stage of their careers.

For more information on our initiatives or to get involved email Alisha McFarlane, WIP Committee Chair at alisha.mcfarlane@paramedics.org or stay up to date on the College website.

References

Acker, J. (1990). Hierarchies, jobs, bodies: A theory of gendered organisations. Gender & Society, 4(2), 139–158.

Cassidy, A., Hunt, B., McFarlane, A., & Beovich, B. The experiences of reporting sexism toward female paramedics in Australian ambulance services: A scoping review. Australian Journal of Social Issues.

Foley, M., Oxenbridge, S., Cooper, R., & Baird, M. (2020). ‘I’ll never be one of the boys’: Gender harassment of women working as pilots and automotive tradespeople. Gender, Work & Organisation. 29, 1676–1691.

Hanna-Osborne, S. (2019). A “job for the boys”? The career pathways and gendered employment experiences of women paramedics. University of Sydney Business School.

Leigh, J., Grood, C., Ahmed, S., Ulrich, A., Fiest, K., Straus, S., & Stelfox, H. (2019). Toward gender equity in critical care medicine. Critical Care Medicine, 47(3), 286–291.

McFarlane, A., Stack, H., Maria, S., & Bridges, D. (2023). Paramedicine, organisational culture and the problem of sexual harassment. Routledge Cavendish.

Mdletshe S. (2023). Driving professional development and growth through research: a commentary. Journal of medical radiation sciences, 70(3), 338–344. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.678