- Medical Professionals Engage in Nationwide Strike Over Rape-Related Fatalities
Outcry and sorrow in the medical sector, dread in society: The brutal demise of a young medical apprentice in India has ignited a fresh wave of demonstrations. It's yet another rape incident that has rocked the most populous nation on Earth. More than 31,000 rape incidents were documented in 2022 itself. Now, these protests have escalated: Doctors nationwide initiated a 24-hour strike on Saturday, refusing service to patients unless it's a critical situation.
Medics in White Coats
Meanwhile, protesters clad in white coats are demanding justice for the culprit(s) and safer work conditions. "I'm scared," a young woman told a local TV channel reporter. Her parents had advised her to steer clear of night shifts. Hospitals need security measures similar to airports, suggested RV Asokan, the head of the Indian Medical Association. "Doctors are assaulted, underpaid, and overworked," another doctor told The Times of India. Thousands had already protested in the preceding days.
At the same time, the health ministry in New Delhi called on protesters to return to their hospitals, especially given the rising dengue and malaria cases. They assured a committee would propose security measures.
Postmortem Shows Evidence of Sexual Assault
The long-standing issue resurfaced when the body of the 31-year-old trainee doctor was discovered early Friday morning in a seminar room of her hospital in Kolkata. She was believed to have been sleeping there following a long shift. Her body bore numerous injuries, and the postmortem examination revealed signs of sexual assault. One suspect has been apprehended so far.
The postmortem findings suggest group rape. Simultaneously, the Kolkata High Court ordered an Indian federal law enforcement agency to take charge of the investigation.
Multiple Doctors Attacked
The reports bring up two significant issues: Doctors in the region regularly face workplace violence, with relatives attacking them, particularly when patients don't survive. A 2019 study by the Indian Medical Association revealed that up to 75% of doctors are threatened and subjected to physical attacks.
Secondly, violence against women is rampant in the patriarchal society of over 1.4 billion individuals. Official data shows a new rape incident is reported every 15 minutes. The actual number is likely higher, as many victims remain silent due to societal stigma. The attitude of society might be a factor, with thousands of female fetuses being aborted each year, girls being less likely to attend school than boys, and daughters often viewed as a financial burden, despite the congressional ban on dowries.
Despite the widespread attention drawn by particularly gruesome instances of sexual violence, such as the gang rape of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in the capital, New Delhi, twelve years ago, which later resulted in her death and mass protests leading to stricter laws, many Indian women still do not trust the police and the justice system, especially those from lower castes. Many cases remain unsolved, and some suspects are even released on bail.
Recently, women of all ages have joined the protests, walking the streets on India's Independence Day from its former colonial rulers, demanding a life free from fear. Likewise, crowds ransacked the hospital where the body of the 31-year-old medical student was discovered around a week ago. The police have yet to disclose the identities of those responsible for the attack but have made some arrests.
Prime Minister Acknowledges Public Outrage
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly addressed the issue, stating, "The public is outraged. Our country, our society, and our state governments must take this seriously. Cases of violence against women should be investigated with more urgency." However, societal values shift slowly.
Other medical professionals are showing solidarity with their striking colleagues, organizing similar protests in various cities. The medical community worldwide has expressed concern and condemnation, urging for stricter safety measures and stronger legal action against perpetrators.
The 'Other' group consists of medical professionals from different cities in India and around the globe who are expressing their support for the striking doctors and demanding safer work environments for all medical personnel.
