VIEWS ON HEALTH AND GENDER EQUALITY
Dr. Samyam Bickram Pathak
MBBS, ECFMG Certified
“Gender equality has been achieved, and feminism is no longer necessary,” I once heard my elders say at a social event. At that time, my concept of gender was limited to just males and females, and I had no understanding of feminism. My attempts to find answers in the dictionary fell short, and it took me a considerable amount of time to gain a deeper understanding of gender equality and feminism. I came to realize that feminism is, in fact, a social and political movement advocating for women’s rights on the basis of gender equality. This led me to understand that gender equality has not been fully realized, and feminism remains essential. It is still a pressing concern that women face oppression and exploitation in various ways. However, it is also time for us to acknowledge that the current state of feminism may be insufficient to address these issues.
As a member of a medical fraternity, I believe that gender inequality persists. Patients often have higher expectations of male doctors compared to female doctors. The tendency to unfairly judge capable female medical practitioners still lingers in our society. During outpatient visits, elderly individuals frequently prefer male medical practitioners over their female counterparts. Additionally, the family-oriented policies regarding maternity and paternity leave in hospitals in Nepal reinforce traditional gender roles, with mothers expected to stay at home and care for their children, which perpetuates gender inequality and fuels the feminist movement. These events are just the epitome of broader societal issues. Gender inequality is a deeply rooted concept that has persisted for years. Gender differences contribute to gender inequality, leading to gender socialization. In our present society, women are often perceived as vulnerable and sensitive, while men are expected to be tough and not show vulnerability. Thus, in today’s world, both women and men fall victim to gender discrimination.
My exploration of feminism has led me to believe that it has had a life-changing impact on our society. Looking at history, we see that only men were granted the right to vote and were considered superior in all fields. However, contemporary feminism campaigns have fought for equal voting rights for all genders. Furthermore, feminism has supported the right to abortion and reproductive freedom, providing women with the freedom of choice. It has allowed individuals of all genders to be themselves without fear of judgment. Therefore, it is undeniable that feminism continually challenges patriarchy and strives to dismantle gender roles. In addition to benefiting men and women in the modern era, feminism has also aided the LGBTQ+ community in securing their rights. Thus, it would not be unfair to say that feminism provides a place for everyone, and it is crucial to understand the gender-based struggles and challenges in society. Moreover, the common misconception that only women can be feminists is far from the truth. While women often face more inequality, exploitation, and oppression in society, more feminists are typically women, as they have their own narratives of suffering.
In addition to addressing gender discrimination in the healthcare sector, I would like to highlight the different gender roles that persist in our daily lives. The common tradition of women waking up early in the morning, managing household chores, sending their children to school, working, and then attending to their husband’s and children’s needs in the evening is not uncommon. This illustrates that women have faced struggles throughout history. Why do women have to leave their homes after marriage? Why is the presence of men mandatory for performing Hindu rituals? Why must only men be responsible for earning a living to support the family? Why are sons considered the primary owners of parental property? Why do we predominantly hear about acid attacks against women? These questions arise when I contemplate gender, gender equality, and feminism. It is also true that our culture and traditions exhibit gender bias. However, if we examine the current landscape, we can see that we have begun to address women’s rights, but men are also beginning to feel the effects. Men are burdened with excessive duties and responsibilities, prioritizing work over family. I once heard a story where a father of a one-year-old child left his child with the mother to work abroad to provide for the family. However, he missed out on his child’s growth, and their bond weakened over time. Thus, achieving a balance is crucial so that duties and responsibilities are equally shared, and neither gender is disproportionately affected.
We are all born equal, and we should all have the same rights regardless of gender. A country cannot progress unless all genders are treated equally and given opportunities to collaborate for development. The concept of feminism must evolve and expand if feminists hope to create a just, fair, and equitable world for all genders. So, let us all join hands for global change and do our best to eradicate gender discrimination so that everyone can enjoy their rights peacefully in the future.
“Together we can definitely bring a change.”
…
If you want to publish anything, we nepalnamcha welcome you with a smile. Just remember nepalnamcha@gmail.com for it.
