International Women’s Day - March 8: Women In Medicine

International Women’s Day - on March 8th - is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action to push for women’s equality.

The 2023 theme of IWD is #EmbracingEquity. In today’s world, equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. Equity means creating a more inclusive world. We talked to three distinct women in medicine and research - Shekoofeh, Jenny, and Inna - to hear about what IWD means to them. 

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

Shekoofeh: “International Women’s Day is a symbolic day to remind us all what an important and vital role women play in our workforce, families, education, and culture. It’s a day to make us pause and respect all those who tirelessly work towards equality.”

Inna: “IWD, to me, is a day that we can celebrate our successes and achievements. It’s a day to celebrate the fact that we are fortunate to live in times that we have the right to study, work and do everything we dream of.”

What advice would you share to a woman just starting out in medicine or research? 

Jenny: “Medicine is a great field. It’s fun and rewarding, and there will be challenges, but everyone has challenges. Some of those challenges might be as a woman, probably most will be as a human. Just remember: our greatest challenges can be our greatest strengths. And there is so much strength, beauty and value you can bring into this world, as a human, and as a woman.”

Shekoofeh: “Congratulations on starting one of the most exciting chapters of your life. Never feel ashamed of asking your questions - you matter, and your questions matter!”

Inna: “I would advise any woman who is just starting in research to believe in herself and have the courage to try new things. Research is fascinating and exciting, and even “small” discoveries can bring a big change one day.”

What woman inspires you most, and why? 

Jenny: “There are many. One that comes to mind is Dr. Lyn March, who I came across when I was a freshly minted intern doctor and super keen, but slightly unsure of myself. She was a boss lady for sure. What I saw in her was excellence, but also warmth and embrace. It was the former that inspired me to also pursue excellence, but the latter truly strengthened me in moments of need.”

Shekoofeh: “I am deeply inspired by all women around the world fighting for their rights. Most recently, I am in awe of the women of Iran who are fearlessly leading a movement for freedom and a better life.”

Inna: “To be honest, I can’t choose only one woman, because I have been inspired by so many women throughout my life. I keep being inspired by women I meet along the way. I’ve learned that every woman has her own story, and there’s a lot to learn from the journey every woman is going through.”

How can we encourage more women to get into medicine or research? 

Jenny: “You know, there are lots of women in medicine, many medical schools in the western world are over 50% women. It's more a question of what paths women going into medicine choose. I think we can encourage women to be truly real with themselves and what makes them buzz. If putting stents in people's hearts to save them from a heart attack makes you buzz, go for it. If you want a family, go for it. But also remember, everything we invest in will impact all areas of our lives, and we have to be real with that.”

Shekoofeh: “I believe in the power of creating positive role models by celebrating successful women in medicine. We also need to expand our reach and mentorship to young girls to introduce them to the fascinating world of medicine.”

Inna: “I think that women should understand that by doing medical research you can shape the future and make a change. Women have a different way of thinking, a creativity and a problem-solving approach - more so than men. We need more women in medical research in order to expand our horizons and achieve new discoveries.”

Looking back on how far we've come--and how much further we still need to go-- it's clear that we cannot underestimate the potential of women in science.

Women are still underrepresented in research and medicine. Encouraging women to pursue these careers and amplifying their voices are two important steps towards providing safer and more effective healthcare for everyone. Happy International Women’s Day to all women. Thank you to those working to make strides in medicine, research, science, and healthcare!