Improvement in Gender Perspective in Health Research over last five years

Abstract Book of the 8th Global Conference on Women's Studies

Year: 2026

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Improvement in Gender Perspective in Health Research over last five years

Rut Lucas Domínguez, Cristina Rius, Andrea Sixto-Costoya, Adolfo Alonso-Arroyo, Antonio Vidal-Infer, Idalina Machado, Rut Lucas Domínguez*

ABSTRACT:

This study examines research groups in oncology and cardiovascular health to promote gender equality. A questionnaire was sent to research staff in both fields in Spain and Portugal (https:/healthinclusiveresearch.com/Login/LoginAuto?email=0M3wMDCgp5okVlhExg99lg==&password=KH2zIMAw9t3WCBYGw37Cdw==&lang=en). Question 41 asked researchers to rate (0–100%) their perceived progress in integrating a gender perspective into research over the last five years, a key issue within open science, which demands inclusive knowledge production and citizen participation. Most respondents, 34.85% in Spain and 39.84% in Portugal, reported very low progress (0–25%). This limited perception is particularly concerning for citizen science, as ignoring gender dimensions undermines equity and representativeness in co-created knowledge.
No significant differences were found between women and men in Spain. However, in Portugal, a chi-square test revealed a significant gender gap: 72% of women perceived low progress (less than a 50%), compared to 66% of men. Conversely, 27% of men placed themselves in higher categories (51–100%), versus only 17% of women.
These findings suggest a extended perceived stagnation in gender mainstreaming, with national nuances likely linked to equality policies, institutional practices, and socio-cultural contexts. They also highlight the urgent need to embed gender perspectives into open science frameworks, ensuring that both research outputs and participatory processes are equitable and inclusive.

Keywords: Perception Of Gender Equality; Citizen Science; Open Science; Oncology Research; Cardiovascular Research