Why Pakistan's female doctors don't feel safe

The tragic murder of a trainee doctor in India has sparked serious concerns about the safety of female doctors in Pakistan. Many women working in hospitals across the country have reported facing sexual harassment, violence, and verbal abuse from male colleagues, patients, and their families. Following this incident, more than a dozen female medical professionals spoke to the BBC, expressing their fears for their own safety. However, this issue remains largely hidden, as many women are too afraid to come forward and report these crimes. Those who do often find that their allegations are not taken seriously, leading to a culture of silence and fear. Most of the women interviewed requested anonymity to protect their jobs and reputations. Dr. Nusrat, a physician who spoke with the BBC, recounted a distressing incident involving a young doctor who was filmed by a male colleague while using the restroom. The man used the video to blackmail her, and when Dr. Nusrat suggested reporting the incident to the Federal Investigation Agency, the young doctor declined, fearing that the information would leak to her family. Fortunately, Dr. Nusrat was able to enlist the help of a police officer who intervened and ensured the video was deleted. However, they could not pursue further action against the perpetrator. This incident highlights the pervasive issue of harassment that female doctors face in Pakistan. Dr. Aamna, another doctor who shared her experience, described how she was targeted by a senior male doctor during her residency. He would make inappropriate comments and attempt to touch her while she was working. When she filed a complaint with the hospital administration, she was met with indifference and skepticism. The administration told her that they had been unable to address the issue for years and that no one would believe her claims. Dr. Aamna also mentioned that some women have managed to record their harassment, but the consequences for the harassers are minimal, often resulting in mere transfers to different wards rather than any real accountability. This troubling pattern of behavior is not isolated, as many female doctors report similar experiences. Dr. Summaya Tariq Syed, the chief police surgeon in Karachi and head of Pakistan's first rape crisis center, has dedicated her career to combating violence against women. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by female medical professionals. Dr. Syed recounted a time when she was pressured by colleagues to alter a post-mortem report regarding a murder case. They threatened her, but she refused to comply, resulting in no action being taken against those who tried to intimidate her. Another female doctor from a government hospital in Punjab explained that reporting abuse can be particularly difficult for women, as the committees responsible for addressing complaints often include the very doctors who perpetrate the harassment. This creates a hostile environment where women feel discouraged from speaking out. While there are no official statistics on assaults against female health workers in Pakistan, a report from the US National Institutes of Health in 2022 revealed alarming figures. It indicated that up to 95% of nurses in Pakistan have experienced workplace violence at least once in their careers, including physical assaults, threats, and verbal abuse from colleagues, patients, and visitors. A study conducted in Lahore found that 27% of nurses had experienced sexual violence, while another study in Khyber Pakhtunkha province reported that 69% of nurses and 52% of female doctors had faced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace. In addition to the harassment, female doctors also highlighted the lack of basic facilities in hospitals, such as clean restrooms and places to rest during long shifts. Dr. Syed shared a particularly disturbing case from 2010, where a nurse was lured to a doctor's hostel and raped by multiple men. The nurse was so traumatized that she attempted to take her own life by jumping off a roof. Dr. Syed believes that societal attitudes often place blame on the victims rather than the perpetrators. She also described how her team faced aggression from the public while performing their duties, including an incident where they were attacked while handling bodies in a mortuary. Dr. Saadia, another doctor, explained that many of her colleagues have been repeatedly harassed by individuals who enter the hospital while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. She emphasized the lack of security in state-run hospitals, where anyone can walk in without being checked. Dr. Saadia recounted a time when a drunken man harassed a colleague, and there were no security guards present to intervene. Nurse Elizabeth Thomas shared that incidents of drunk patients attempting to touch them are common, leaving them feeling terrified and helpless. Dr. Saadia also noted that in some remote areas, hospitals lack proper lighting, making them even more dangerous for female staff. According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023, there are 1,284 government hospitals in the country, but security measures are often inadequate. Many hospitals lack functioning CCTV cameras, and attacks on medical staff have become increasingly frequent. Dr. Saadia recounted a frightening experience when a patient's relative threatened her for waiting for test results before administering an injection. He yelled at her and said he would kill her if she did not comply. Many nurses come from minority communities, which can make them more vulnerable to harassment. Elizabeth Thomas explained that some nurses face threats of false accusations if they refuse to comply with demands. Female doctors also described the long, demanding shifts they endure without proper facilities. Dr. Saadia shared that during her house job, there were times when she had to rest in a colleague's car because there was no designated place for staff to take breaks. They often cannot use the restroom during long shifts, which poses significant challenges. In the wake of the murder of the trainee doctor in India, discussions among female doctors in Pakistan about their safety have intensified. Dr. Saadia has changed her routine to avoid dark or deserted areas, while Elizabeth Thomas worries about her daughter's future as a doctor in Pakistan. The situation has raised serious questions about the safety and well-being of female medical professionals in the country.