Prospectus

The Japanese Association for Women Radiation Oncologists (JAWRO) was established for the following reason;

1. To provide opportunities and facilitate communication among women, gender minority and people who are willing to support them in radiation oncology
2. To broaden opportunities for next-generation women and gender minority radiation oncologists.

Today, women account for more than 30% of medical graduates in Japan. However, the number of women radiation oncologist in Japan is still limited. 
In principle, there should be no difference between men and women in executing their duties as physicians. However, in reality, many women physicians are compelled to leave their job after childbirth, or for child/family care. This situation is considered one of the reasons for the impaired working conditions experienced by physicians who remain in post.
JAWRO was formed with the vision t to promote creation of a relaxed medical care environment where the number of radiation oncologists, regardless of gender, can further increase and each individual's work-life balance can be maintained at an appropriate level by maintaining lifelong motivation and activity. Of note, these efforts should be applied to all minorities in radiation oncology as well. 
Above will be one of the requirements to provide high quality radiation therapy to more patients. 
The number of JAWRO member, which consisted of faculty, trainee and medical physicists in Radiation Oncology, already exceeded 230 and is keep on growing. 

1. To support women and gender minority radiation oncologists in maintaining their motivation to continue their careers.To hold meetings of JAWRO at the annual meeting of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology, which serve as opportunities for the members to gather, exchange information, and undergo mentoring. This should encourage self-motivated development, inspired by advice from experienced specialists.

   JAWRO provides information via website.

2. To help increase the labor force in the field of radiation oncology by encouraging more women to become radiation oncologists.

   To widely promote to women medical students and residents that radiation oncology is a field in which women physicians can fully play an active role.

April 18, 2009

Yoko Harima, Yuko Kaneyasu, Kumiko Karasawa, Tomoko Kazumoto, Midori Kita, Yuko Nakayama, Miwako Nozaki, Etsuyo Ogo, Chiaki Shibayama, Wakako Shimizu, Kayoko Tsujino, Nobue Uchida