Closing the Policy Gap in Standardized Maternity and Postnatal Support for Surgical Trainees in Kenya

Overview

Women are entering medical school and the healthcare workforce at record numbers, yet they remain underrepresented in surgical specialties.

The Challenge

Building a sustainable surgical workforce requires more than recruiting future surgeons—it requires creating training environments that enable them to remain, progress, and thrive.

Our Approach

The framework has been developed through a structured process of evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis.

• Literature review and international policy benchmarking
• National stakeholder consultations
• Surgical trainee and consultant surveys
• International Women's Week Roundtable 2026
• Policy analysis and framework development
• Validation with professional associations and academic institutions

This collaborative approach ensures that the framework reflects both international best practice and the realities of surgical training in Kenya.

The Framework

The proposed framework provides practical recommendations to support surgical trainees before, during, and after parental leave.

• Standardised maternity and parental leave guidance
• Structured return-to-training pathways
• Clinical and workplace accommodations
• Mentorship and professional support
• Communication of trainee entitlements
• Monitoring, evaluation, and institutional accountability

Rather than creating additional administrative burden, the framework seeks to provide clear, practical guidance that strengthens workforce sustainability.

Partners

• Kenya Association of Women Surgeons (KAWS)
• Surgical Society of Kenya (SSK)
• Operation Smile
• Nkafu Policy Institute
• University of Global Health Equity (UGHE)

Looking Ahead

SWEL is working with academic institutions, professional associations, and policymakers to validate, pilot, and refine the framework.