9 of 46 associations of IMA led by women, only one female president since its start: Study

A study found that out of India’s largest and oldest professional medical association, the IMA’s 46 associations, only nine are currently led by women. This indicates very little representation of women in leadership roles. The research, which included data from various professional medical associations, revealed that of the 92 individuals who have served as the presidents of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) since its establishment in 1928, only one was a woman.

This lack of gender diversity is evident across various medical specialties, including those closely related to women’s health such as obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and neonatology. For example, the study revealed that the National Neonatology Forum has only one woman in its leadership committee, and in The Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India’s 73 years of history, only 15% of past presidents were women. The IMA, founded in 1928, is a voluntary organization of 3.5 lakh doctors practicing modern medicine. Although it aims to promote modern medicine and public health education, its leadership lacks gender diversity.

The study’s authors emphasized the crucial role of professional medical associations in shaping the health sector’s policy agenda, highlighting the need for greater gender diversity in their leadership. The authors also found that only 4.6% of the 64 individuals currently serving as the presidents and secretaries of 32 sub-chapters of IMA are women. These findings are consistent with global studies that show a low number of women reaching leadership positions, despite more women entering the medical field than ever before.

The researchers stressed the urgent need for concerted efforts to address gender inequities within medical associations, as this lack of representation can lead to an unbalanced agenda that does not adequately address the health and care needs of women. They also pointed out that having women-only chapters within associations is not sufficient, as only 5.5% of their leadership is women, despite their presence in the IMA.

Also Rea:https://thecapital.org.in/india-us-partnership-has-huge-potential-for-growth-in-21st-century-say-us-lawmakers/