Today, March 8 is International Women’s Day. Throughout the day will take place worldwide a multitude of events, demonstrations and demands of various kinds, claiming women’s participation, on an equal footing with men in society, as well as their full development as a person.
There is still much to be done for equality between the sexes in all areas. Medicine is no exception, as it has always been considered a discipline for men, and where the role of women has been relegated to the background.
On the occasion of this important date we have the collaboration of two renowned specialists members of Top Doctors: Dr. Natalia Ribé, specialist in Aesthetic Medicine and Andrology, and Dr. Adriana Paredes, expert in Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Female physicians, have they encountered handicaps throughout their careers?
Continuously, explains Dr. Paredes, “from access to higher education to advancing through it and obtaining a degree. Although my training took place in Mexico, it is a culture closely related to that of Spain but with far fewer resources, and where the preference of families to favor the education of men is probably even more noticeable, since they are seen as having more possibilities of success and less likely to leave their studies incomplete or “wasted” because of having to “suffer” motherhood”. For her part, Dr. Natalia Ribé explains that it is never easy for women, and even less so in careers or specialties dominated by men, as in her case: “but we cannot give up, we must give a voice to all those women who are silenced due to circumstances. And the best way is to work hard and with love for what we do, and to make ourselves respected”. And she adds: “Aesthetic physician and andrologist, one of the medical specialties with the lowest percentage of women. I like challenges. Following my vocational passion to help people, I wanted to pursue a different study in terms of training and surgical specialty”.
What motivated you to choose this profession?
“Since I was a little girl, it was very clear to me that my vocation was to help others. Among my memories I see myself taking care of a small animal, helping elderly people at home…, so I thought about studying medicine or veterinary medicine. Over time, this passion grew deeper and led me to choose medicine,” explains Dr. Natalia Ribé. Dr. Paredes, on the other hand, refers to the influence of her mother, who was a nurse: “She always motivated me a lot to achieve my academic goals. Perhaps her example as a nurse led me to this area,” she adds.
What would you highlight as a positive aspect of medicine?
Medicine is a caring profession, as well as a vocational one. “This means that it starts from the premise of making life easier for others: accompanying them in pain, making them feel better,” explains Dr. Natalia Ribé. “And this is even more evident in Aesthetic Medicine, because it is common knowledge that if we feel good on the outside, it has repercussions on the inside, on our emotional balance. It is our duty as doctors to make good use of medicine, and this is not limited only to treatment, but should also extend to prevention,” she adds. However, the doctors also highlight the fact that women are playing an increasingly important role in medicine as something positive. “We have always been there, contributing, but my perception is that it has not been until the 21st century that women’s participation has been very noticeable, and there is still much to be done,” says Dr. Paredes.
How do you reconcile a profession that requires so much dedication with the idea that society still has of women?
Both doctors agree: reconciliation is not easy, so one must learn to prioritize. “It is difficult, starting from the fact that today’s society requires us to be equal to men, without taking into account our vulnerability during motherhood and childbearing. Governments play a very poor role in improving the reconciliation of work and family life, but if we want to protect our most vulnerable members (childhood and women during pregnancy), encouraging women to perform productive activities in accordance with their reproductive aspirations and needs,” explains Dr. Adriana Paredes.
And if it is difficult for any woman to reconcile work and family life, it is also difficult for a woman, doctor and mother, tasks that must be combined with patient care, research, teaching and even participation in congresses. Dr. Natalia Ribé explains: “My profession is my passion, but only as long as I can exercise it with excellence and give the best of myself. And, without a doubt, the best way to be able to give the maximum to my patients is to feel in balance and at peace with myself, and for that I need my people. On the one hand, a team made up of very professional women, whom I thank for their help, since they make my day-to-day life much easier. On the other hand, my family, which is my priority and makes me keep my feet on the ground, recharging me with positive energy. Especially my husband and his support in my daily life, because thanks to him it is much easier to combine my great passions.
Research and women: low visibility and pending tasks?
Spain is a pioneering country in scientific and medical research, but the women who dedicate themselves to it, and who achieve success, rarely transcend. “The percentage of women in R&D does not reach 40%. There is undoubtedly a bias, and this is the result of gender stereotypes, which are more prevalent than ever today. Even from an early age, children appreciate the bias, and they internalize it. Sometimes even the parents themselves contribute to it without being aware of it,” explains Dr. Natalia Ribé. Dr. Adriana Paredes concludes: “there are many women researchers but their work does not transcend in its proper measure. It is enough to see the gender distribution: most of the services and specialties in Spanish hospitals are headed by men, despite having a majority of women, including women”.
Undoubtedly, there is still much to be done in terms of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Health is not a field free of differences and little visibility, but little by little improvements are being made.