Dr Humera Mahmood
THE theme for International Women’s Day 2021 ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a Covide-19 world.’ celebrates the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in shaping a more equal future and recovery from the Covide-19 pandemic and highlights the gaps that remain.
Women all over the world are proving their worth, skills and competence in all fields of life and professions.
In some professions including medicine, teaching and nursing they are even better than men. Women in Pakistan are not lagging behind.
They are contributing to the development of the country not only by giving educated children to the nation but also by sharing economic burden with their male counterparts.
Women’s full and effective participation and leadership in all areas of life drives progress for everyone.
Yet, women are still underrepresented in public life and decision-making, as revealed in the UN Secretary-General’s recent report.
Through this message I would also like to highlight the contribution of female health professionals in 18 Pakistan Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals of the country. Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital NORI is one of them.
There’s no gender discrimination in these hospitals. In fact most of the healthcare workers in these hospitals are female.
It’s not only the nurses but also doctors, scientists and technologists. All of them are serving cancer patients with full dedication, hardwork and empathy.
They are playing key role in cancer awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment in Pakistan.
Even in Covide 19 pandemic, they are working at the forefront to fight cancer. Female patients feel more comfortable with female doctors and staff.
It is to be noted that breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the country.
Women need not underestimate themselves.
No one ever became a success without taking chances… ‘Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.’
—The writer is Consultant Oncologist, Head Oncology Department at Atomic Energy Cancer Hospital NORI, Islamabad
