We are a continental group of women surgeons based in Africa with members spanning vast regions from Cape Town to Cairo. Our vision is to form A Pan African Forum for Women in Surgery to interact and support each other and contribute towards improving healthcare in the region. Our mission is to inspire, encourage, and assist women in surgery to achieve their professional and personal goals and to develop a women’s healthcare platform on the African continent.

A large part of the PAWAS mandate is to educate and empower our women and the greater populations at large. There are challenges to accessing health care and new strategies and innovations are required to mitigate some of these barriers. Technology is also helping to bridge some of the gaps in health systems. Do share your stories regarding the challenges you face in your set up and how you are managing to overcome them to help.

Mentorship helps the mentee or protégé (one being mentored) to make well-informed decisions about their careers and/or personal choices. By having a mentor, PAWAS has opened avenues for one’s access to a guide, teacher and friend alongside a breadth of experience and the networks that the mentor has access to. Through the process of mentorship one is empowered to take responsibility and ownership for one’s life and career choices alongside developing one’s leadership skills.

PAWAS offers a number of membership opportunities for those involved in the surgical profession or interested in joining or supporting surgical care. PAWAS membership is available to Practicing Surgeons from all surgical specialties, to those Pursuing A Surgical Career, those Involved With The Surgical Teams and those Considering A Career In Surgery. PAWAS aims to develop a global dialogue between surgeons.

We know how important it is to to bridge some of the gaps in health systems. A large part of the PAWAS mandate is to educate and empower our women and the greater populations. Do share your stories regarding challenges you face in your set up and how you are managing to overcome them.

PAWAS offers a number of membership opportunities for those involved in the surgical profession or interested in joining or supporting surgical care.

There is still a very low enrollment and high attrition rate for women in surgical specialties in most African countries.