Alliance for Sustainable Livestock

in collaboration with

The Female Veterinarians Association of Nigeria (FEVAN)

October, 2024.

Globally, the veterinary profession is experiencing a significant gender shift in recent years with
more women entering the profession. In developed regions, such as the United States, United
Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, women now make up approximately 60% of the veterinary
population. In the United Kingdom, for example, data from the Royal College of Veterinary
Science (RCVS) reports that women account for 57% of registered veterinarians, 96.8% of
veterinary nurses, and 80% of veterinary students. However, this shift toward gender balance in
the profession has yet to be fully realized in other parts of the world, particularly in Africa.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, women represent just 30-40% of veterinarians, with barriers and social
norms limiting their access to the profession and professional growth. Meanwhile, women play a
crucial role in animal care globally, comprising about two-thirds of the world’s animal
owners—an estimated 400 million women. In Nigeria, livestock rearing serves as a primary
source of livelihood for rural populations, representing 48% of the national population, with
women comprising 51% of this demographic. However, despite their pivotal role, women remain
a minority in formal veterinary services, and livestock training roles. Most service providers,
trainers, key decision makers and resource persons in the field are men, contributing to a
professional gap that impacts both the sector and women’s livelihoods.

As the number of women entering veterinary practice continues to grow, so do the barriers to
achieving true gender equality and inclusion. Female veterinarians predominantly find roles in
small animal practice, but their representation in other areas—such as leadership, policy-making,
research, and specialized fields like large animal and wildlife medicine—remains limited. This
disparity is due to a combination of factors, including gender bias, unequal access to professional
development, cultural norms that place caregiving responsibilities on women, and a lack of
mentorship and networking opportunities.

Overview of Key Statistics of Female Veterinarians in Africa

In Sub-Saharan Africa, women represent just 30-40% of veterinarians, with barriers and social
norms limiting their access to the profession and professional growth. Meanwhile, women play a
crucial role in animal care globally, comprising about two-thirds of the world’s animal
owners—an estimated 400 million women.

51%

Women

In Nigeria, livestock rearing serves as a primary
source of livelihood for rural populations, representing 48% of the national population, with
women comprising 51% of this demographic.

Our Goal for the Workshop

Alliance for Sustainable Livestock, A not for profit organization focused on driving sustainable
Livestock systems prioritize workforce development in driving change in the livestock sector.
In our mission to drive women inclusion in the livestock workforce, we explored the challenges
plaguing women in the Veterinary workforce in Nigeria. In Partnership with FEVAN, we
organized a workshop to explore the unique challenges women face within the veterinary
profession and identify pathways to strengthen gender inclusion and representation.
This report presents findings from a participatory Workshop/ Stakeholder consultation with
female veterinarians across Nigeria during the 2024 Annual Nigerian Veterinarians Conference
in Jos at the Female Veterinarians Association side session. The Workshop had 83 female
Veterinarians in attendance from 22 states in Nigeria including the FCT. The workshop aimed to
explore the unique challenges women face within the veterinary profession and identify
pathways to strengthen gender inclusion and representation. These barriers hinder the advancement and effective contribution of female veterinarians across various fields, from
clinical practice to leadership and research.

Workshop Methodology

• Sticky Notes Exercise: Participants were invited to write down their biggest challenge as female veterinarians, as well as proposed solutions on sticky notes and these were gathered.

• Focus Group Discussion: Participants were grouped in to 6 breakout groups where they engaged in small group discussions about the challenges they face as female veterinarians and potential solutions.

• Presentation of Resolutions and Key Takeaways: Each group presented its findings to the larger audience for open discussion and feedback.

The Key Challenges Identified

During this workshop, we got a deeper reflection on the challenges women faced in the
Veterinary workforce. We categorized the issues identified into 8 themes;

Gender Bias and Stereotyping

Gender bias and stereotyping are significant challenges faced by female veterinarians,
influencing how they are perceived, treated, and promoted within the veterinary workforce.
These biases often stem from traditional perceptions of gender roles, societal expectations, and
unconscious biases that shape the professional landscape. For many women in the veterinary
profession, these biases limit opportunities for career advancement, create unequal work
environments, and perpetuate disparities in both clinical and non-clinical roles.

Some issues we identified under this theme were; professional competency bias, gendered
role expectations, workplace dynamics and client perceptions.

Lack of Gender sensitivity in Working Conditions

In the veterinary profession, poor working conditions present significant challenges for many
practitioners, but female veterinarians face additional burdens due to structural, cultural, and
social factors unique to their experience. These poor conditions often involve excessive
workloads, inadequate access to resources, exposure to harassment, and a lack of support
systems tailored to the unique needs of women in the field. The combination of these factors not
only affects women’s physical and emotional health but also limits their opportunities for career
advancement and long-term professional satisfaction.

Key issues under this theme were; Excessive workload and lack of recognition, Unsafe
working environment and Harassment, Lack of work-life balance, high burnout rates, poor
maternity conditions for pregnant women.

Under-representation in Leadership

The underrepresentation of women in leadership positions within the veterinary field remains a
significant issue, limiting the influence, visibility, and professional advancement of female
veterinarians. Although the number of women entering the veterinary profession has steadily
increased, this rise has not translated into proportional representation in decision-making roles
across the sector. Female veterinarians often find themselves excluded from senior positions in
academia, research, policymaking, and organizational leadership, resulting in an industry that
misses out on diverse perspectives and talents.
The barriers to leadership for women in veterinary medicine are multifaceted, encompassing
structural, societal, and workplace dynamics that make it difficult for female veterinarians to
advance. This lack of representation not only stifles the careers of individual women but also
hinders the veterinary field from achieving a more inclusive and balanced approach to animal
health and welfare.

Some issues we identified under this theme were; structural barriers to advancement,
gender bias in leadership perceptions, lack of mentorship, work-life balance challenges,
career interruptions from maternity leave, limited representation in high impact roles.

Limited Access to Gender-Inclusive Professional Development Programs

Professional development is essential for career progression in any field, enabling individuals to
gain specialized skills, pursue advanced roles, and contribute to the growth of their industry.
However, female veterinarians often face unequal access to these opportunities due to various
systemic, social, and cultural barriers. These limitations in access hinder their professional
growth and, by extension, reduce their influence and representation within the veterinary sector,
particularly in leadership, specialized practice, and academia.

Some issues we identified under this theme were; limited availability of training programs
designed for women, financial barriers, family responsibilities and inflexibility of
professional development programs, poor representation of women’s perspectives on the
decision-making tables.

Emotional and Psycho-social Skill Gap

In the demanding world of veterinary medicine, the emotional and psychosocial skills required
for a sustainable career are critical. For female veterinarians, however, these challenges are often
intensified by unique pressures and a lack of adequate support structures. The result is an
“emotional and psychosocial skill gap” that manifests as higher stress levels, increased burnout
risk, and diminished resilience, all of which can affect professional growth and job satisfaction.
This gap arises from a mix of gendered expectations, workplace dynamics, and societal norms,
which collectively shape how women experience and navigate the emotional demands of the
profession. Without targeted support, this skill gap can lead to lasting negative impacts on
women’s well-being and career trajectories.

Some issues we identified under this theme were Heightened expectations of emotional
labour, Poor peer support and limited opportunities, impact of gender bias and stereotypes
on women’s temperament.

Discrimination in Employment and Wages in Private

The gender pay gap remains a persistent issue for women across numerous professions, including
veterinary medicine. Despite the increasing representation of women in the veterinary workforce,
female veterinarians often earn less than their male counterparts, even when performing the same
roles and possessing comparable levels of experience. This wage disparity not only impacts the
financial well-being of individual women but also affects career satisfaction, opportunities for
professional development, and long-term career retention.
Several factors contribute to the gender pay gap in veterinary medicine, including gender biases,
occupational segregation, and limited access to higher-paying roles. Addressing these disparities
is essential for fostering a more equitable and inclusive work environment, ensuring that all
veterinarians receive fair compensation for their contributions.

Some issues we identified under this theme were Occupational segregation and
specialization choices, gender bias in salary negotiations and promotion, limited access to
leadership and high-paying roles, and disparities in benefits and bonuses.

Limited Access to Finance and Finance Opportunities

Access to finance is a fundamental requirement for career advancement, business ownership, and
professional development, yet it remains a significant barrier for women in the veterinary field.
Female veterinarians often encounter difficulties in securing funding for various professional
pursuits, such as opening a practice, purchasing equipment, expanding their skill set, or even
covering operational expenses. This lack of financial support hinders women’s ability to reach
their full potential, contribute to the veterinary industry, and establish economic independence.

Several factors contribute to limited financial access for female veterinarians, including gender
biases within financial institutions, lack of business mentorship, and limited financial literacy
resources tailored to women in the profession. Addressing these challenges is essential for
fostering an environment where women can thrive professionally and independently.

Some issues we identified under this theme were Access to Knowledge on how to access
finance, identifying finance opportunities and barriers restrict women from starting
independent practices or engaging in agribusiness ventures.

Lack of Mentorship and Networking Opportunities

Many women lack access to mentors and networks that could support their career growth and
navigate workplace challenges. These hinders a sense of community, and guide on how to
navigate their career post-graduation. While Mentees find their mentors, it is important to know
who is who in the veterinary workforce and if they are open to Mentorship. This will facilitate
ease of identifying potential mentors.

Key challenges we identified here were; Lack of access to older veterinarians exceling in
their field, inability to identify career path, limited options for women to explore, insecurity
on the angle of female mentors who feel threatened by mentees.

Opportunities for Growth and Recommended Interventions

Based on these findings, the report outlines several interventions to support female veterinarians
in overcoming these challenges:

• Mentorship Programs: Structured mentorship initiatives connecting young veterinarians with experienced mentors providing career guidance and resilience.

• Inclusive Professional Development Programs: Expanding access to specialized training, facilitate modified designs that are inclusive, leadership development, and resilience-building workshops.
• Supportive Peer Networks: Establishing a community of female veterinarians to foster resource sharing, mentorship, and advocacy.
• Policy and Advocacy Efforts: Promoting gender-inclusive policies to protect female veterinarians from discrimination and harassment, Advocate for pay during maternity leave and longer maternity leave.
• Financial Access Programs: Developing programs that enhance financial literacy and access to funding for women interested in independent practice or agribusiness.

This consultation highlights the need for systemic change to enable female veterinarians to thrive
in their careers and contribute to the veterinary sector’s growth. By addressing structural barriers
and fostering an inclusive, supportive environment, the sector can benefit from the unique
insights, expertise, and leadership of women veterinarians.
We are using this as a medium to call for collaborative action across veterinary organizations,
professional bodies, and policymakers to ensure equitable opportunities and working conditions
for women in veterinary medicine. Our overall goal is to foster an inclusive environment that can
unlock the unique insights and leadership women bring to animal health and welfare.

Join our movement in creating a gender forward veterinary workforce in Nigeria

HERE