MWF runs a Junior Doctor prize please click here for more details.

The MWF has much to offer Junior Doctors. MWF Junior Doctor Member Anna Willcock wrote this article about what role MWF has played for her. This article originally featured in New Doctor magazine

From ward to world: Getting involved with the MWF

Anna Willcock describes the work of the Medical Women's Federation and how it enabled her to find her feet as a new doctor.

It exists to promote the development of women in medicine and to improve the health of women and their families in wider society. Internationally, the MWF seeks to raise the profile of women's health issues and help those who are victims of war, cruelty and mutilation.

Currently, the MWF campaigns for good part-time work schemes, flexible retirement, the provision of mentoring for young women, and the representation of women in leadership positions, such as those in the Royal Colleges or medical schools. It also strives to increase the representation of women within academic medicine - only 13% of medicalprofessors are female. Last year the MWF played a large role in publicising the document reporting the gender pay gap within the NHS.

I joined the MWF as a second year student after a chance meeting with a founding member. I have reaped the rewards of doing so ever since.

There are benefits to members at all levels of training, but for students and junior doctors in particular the ethos of mentoring and support makes the MWF an exceptional resource.
As a medical student there are opportunities for grants, elective bursaries and prizes.  Travel expenses to national meetings are supplemented, giving cash-strapped students the chance to attend. The meetings offer a chance to catch up on important news, to network and get reinvigorated by the issues affecting women doctors. There are workshops run at these meetings, which offer targeted help for attendees - examples of previous sessions include "How to get published" and "Guide to clinical excellence awards". Members are encouraged to present at this national forum, as well as write for
the journal, which is issued three times a year. In addition, there are 13 regional groups that meet more regularly.

As a junior doctor you can benefit because the MWF offers a wealth of professional advice regarding specialist training and career choice planning. It also supports women who balance a family with a busy work life by offering guidance on maternity leave and childcare arrangements. Anyone who would like to attend a meeting, to learn more, or to join this thriving organisation can visit: www.medicalwomensfederation.org. You will be richly rewarded.

Useful Links

• BMA Interview Workshop for Consultant and GP Partner Roles
  This workshop will introduce the key issues that dominate interviews for senior roles, and will help you to identify appropriate evidence from your previous experience.
  Click here for more information
  
  
• BMA Workshop on the Art and Science of Presenting to and Influencing Others
  This practical workshop will help you overcome your presentation fears and deliver with real impact.
  Click here for more information
  
  
• Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Prize
  MWF invites abstract submissions at all our conferences and we particularly encourage entries from Junior Doctors. If your abstract is accepted for presentation, it will be great to put on your CV.
  Click here for more information about our latest meeting and consider submitting an abstract!
  
  
• Maternity Leave
  Click here for info on maternity leave for junior doctors
  
  
• Know your contract know your rights
  The BMA ran a really useful campaign for junior doctors called 'Know your contract know your rights'.
  Lots of useful information is available here
  
  
• Code of Practice for Junior Doctors
  The BMA have negotiated to ensure that there is now a Code of Practice for junior doctors that lays out the agreed set of information that recruiting organisations and employers should provide to doctors in training at each stage of the recruitment process.
  Click here to download a copy