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Women Are Disregarded as Doctors And Patients
As a Pakistani woman, I have always been acutely aware of the gender inequality that exists in our society. From a young age, I witnessed how women were marginalized and discriminated against in nearly every aspect of life. However, it wasn’t until I started my career that I truly began to understand just how pervasive and damaging these inequalities can be.
I had always been an ambitious student and had dreamed of pursuing a career in medicine. Even though many people in my community believed that women should not work outside of the home, my family supported my aspirations and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I worked hard and eventually secured a spot at a prestigious medical school in Pakistan.
During my time in medical school, I was often the only woman in my classes. While my male classmates were generally supportive, I still felt out of place and constantly under scrutiny. My professors often made comments that belittled women and emphasized the differences between male and female abilities.
For example, during one anatomy class, a male professor pointed out that the uterus was located in the female body and asked me to explain its function. When I hesitated, he laughed and said, “See, this is why women shouldn’t be doctors. They can’t even explain basic biology.” His comments were not only hurtful, but…
