Indian Women in Medicine: Rejecting Stereotypes and Confronting Violence
TL/DR –
Indian women in medicine often face violence and discrimination due to cultural stereotypes. Western individualistic cultures often misinterpret Asian collectivist cultural values, viewing them as submissive or weak, and making erroneous judgments about Indian women. Despite these challenges, Indian women in medicine are resilient and are pushing for change and recognition of their strength and value, both as medical practitioners and as women.
Addressing Violence Against Indian Women in Healthcare
Continuing a series on violence against Indian women in medical fields, we focus on the story of ‘Abhaya,’ which means fearless in Sanskrit. Abhaya is the name given to Moumita Debnath during protests for doctor safety after her rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. She symbolizes all Indian women in healthcare who refuse to let violence dictate their fate or identities.
Indian women in healthcare often suffer from biased preconceptions within Western cultures. As stated by Neha Narayan, an internal medicine resident, assumptions about their passivity and lack of confidence often undermine their medical knowledge.
Cultural Philosophies: Collectivism vs Individualism
The Asian philosophy of collectivism often contrasts with Western individualism. Indian women are raised to value social harmony, humility, and respect for their elders, but these cultural values are often interpreted as a sign of weakness in Western medicine. However, their patients appreciate their compassion and dedication, as Narayan’s experiences have shown.
Indian women doctors appreciate their culture’s emphasis on selflessness and kindness, seeing these traits as strengths in their medical practice. However, they wish their colleagues and society would recognize them as valuable individuals as women, not just as doctors.
Resilience of Indian Women in Medicine
Despite cultural pressures and stereotypes, Indian women in medicine demonstrate resilience and strength. “Indian women in medicine are resilient,” says Kanksha Buch, a medical school applicant. Women like Buch challenge the stereotype of submissiveness often associated with Indian women.
However, confronting male violence and its consequences remains an ongoing struggle. The culturally ingrained notion of Indian women’s submissiveness negatively affects their personal lives and professional relationships.
The Struggle Against Violence and Stereotypes
Violence against women is a global issue, with cases like the mass rape of Gisele Pelicot in France, the murder of Rebecca Cheptegei in Kenya, and the alleged sexual torture of Malgorzata in Poland dominating headlines.
Despite this, Indian women in medicine refuse to be silenced. Their collective voice has led to significant gains, such as the arrest and suspension of Sandip Ghosh, former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, on financial misconduct charges.
The strength and resilience of Indian women in medicine continue to challenge stereotypes and fight against injustice. As American-Indian actress Mindy Kaling once said, “There are literally billions of us.“
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