Dr Neena Sharma
International Women’s Day celebrated on March 8th each year, has a rich history rooted in both the labor movement and political activism in 1917 Russian Revolution. The idea of a day to honour women’s achievement started earlier, the UN’s official recognition in 1977 solidified its global observance. The day serves as both a celebration of women’s achievements and a reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve gender equality around the world. It’s an opportunity to honour women from all spheres of life and push for further progress in many areas, such as equal pay, reproductive rights, and political participation.
The field of medicine has long been a cornerstone of human civilization, shaping societies through advancements in healthcare, disease prevention, and innovative treatments. However, for centuries, women faced systemic barriers in entering and excelling in medical professions. Today, there has been significant progress in empowering women in medicine, yet challenges persist. This article encompasses every aspect of future of women in medicine-from education and career advancement to leadership and policy-making.
Historically, women have played essential roles in healthcare. Women in traditional societies served as midwives, healers, contributing to medical knowledge despite the restrictions imposed by patriarchal systems.The notable pioneers of 19th and early 20th centuries include, Elizabeth Blackwell from USA to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849, Florence Nightingale from UK who revolutionized nursing and patient care and Dr. Anandibai Joshi from India to study Western medicine in the late 1800s.
Women empowerment in India
Government of India is dedicated towards making our women capable in every field. Policies like equal pay for equal work, improved maternity/abortion leave policies, gender-sensitive research policies, gender flexible work policies to support work-life balance have empowered women. Several laws of Government of India address women’s safety like Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (Prevention ,Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013), The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 and 2018, The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act,1986.
Support system
Government initiatives like institutional scholarship, financial support, grants, women directive schemes enable woman to flourish and harness their potential. Women are the pillars of society, and when their potential is recognized, nurtured, and supported, they become powerful agents of change.
Workplace Bias & harassment
Government of India policies ensure equal opportunities in promotions, leadership roles, academics, and research for women. Strict anti-harassment policies, workplace comfort, punishment for incidents pertaining to sexual harassment and redressal of complaints related to harassment curb the gender discrimination and bullying.
Encouraging Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education
STEM Education for women and girls aims to increase female representation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Extracurricular activities such as museum visits, competitions can foster interest in STEM. Mentorship programs are a key tool in driving personal and professional growth, especially empowering women in various sectors. They help to bridge the gap between experience (mentors) and opportunity (mentee), providing women with the guidance, support, and knowledge they need to excel in their careers and life goals. Female role models demonstrate the kind of success one can achieve and serve as a template for success . Female STEM teachers can act as role models and influence girls positively
AIIMS Jammu fosters empowerment of women in different fields of medicine
Women empowerment involves enabling women to make strategic life choices. AIIMS Jammu is dedicated to woman’s empowerment, with approximately 55% of doctors and 80% of nursing staff being woman. This creates significant opportunities for women in terms of employment and representation of women in the medical field.
Women in Leadership- AIIMS Jammu fosters women leadership by offering them key administrative positions such as Dean, Associate Deans, Department Heads, Chairpersons of various committees, Principal of nursing college. The Institute underscores women empowerment through various strategies including equal opportunities, gender sensitive policies, and supportive work environment.
Women in Surgery
Surgery has traditionally been male-dominated, but women are making strides. The number of women entering surgery is steadily increasing but challenges still prevent many women from choosing or succeeding in surgical career and encompasses factors like negative surgical perceptions, lack of mentors and female role models, barriers in recruiting and retaining women, gender stereotypes and bias, and societal, cultural expectations, financial barriers, discrimination during surgical training. The Head of Department of Surgery in the Institute is female with crucial role in advancing the department through oversight of surgical operations, managing surgical team effectively, team work collaboration and organizing advanced surgical training programs.
Women in Research
Women’s contribution to research and innovation are transformative and essential in driving advancements across a wide range of fields, build knowledge, uncover new insights, and solve complex problems. The percentage of women leading research projects is high at AIIMS, Jammu. Even the women represent higher number as Principal investigator in extramural research projects.
Women’s Workplace Security
AIIMS, Jammu conducts awareness sessions on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) to foster a safe and positive workplace. Women as security personnel in AIIMS, Jammu are more approachable making easier for women to seek help and report issues. They address gender sensitive issues like conducting searches on women or any gender based violence. Women hospital attendants and housekeeping contribute significantly to the healthcare system.
Women Workplace Comfort
AIIMS Jammu plans to establish a creche facility to support women in providing caregiving facilities to the children.
Expanding Networking, Mentorship, Medical Education
Robust mentorship programs under the aegises of mentor-mentee scheme enhance the representation of women. Women at AIIMS, Jammu create mentorship, impacting career progression, representation of students as leaders, addressing gender disparity, psychosocial counselling, provide necessary support, career guidance, motivation to short-term research projects, new collaborations and job opportunities.
Women at AIIMS,Jammu are increasingly expanding networking opportunities in medical education through various Continuing Medical Education, Conferences, Lectures from eminent faculty of national and international repute. These events focus on professional growth, mentorship and empower women in the field of medicine. Recently female Head of Department of Anaesthesia successfully organized conference of national and international repute in the field of palliative care empowering women at AIIMS, Jammu.
Female faculty at AIIMS Jammu actively engages in community outreach programs focussed on women’s health, organizing awareness sessions on cervical, breast cancer, immunization against cervical cancer, healthy lifestyle factors, sanitation etc. The Institution utilizes social media blogs, You tube talks to disseminate information and enhance awareness of women’s well-being.
CONCLUSION
Empowering women in medicine is not just about gender equality; it is about improving healthcare for everyone. Women bring unique perspectives, compassionate care, and groundbreaking research to the medical field. While significant progress has been made, there is still work to be done in eliminating gender bias, increasing representation in leadership, and ensuring equal opportunities for women in medicine. By fostering a supportive environment, we can ensure that women continue to excel and transform the future of global healthcare. Thus empowering women is a powerful catalyst for fostering inclusive, equitable, and sustainable growth in any country and also impacts them individually.
(The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, AIIMS, Jammu)