Intersectionality & Sexual harassment as a Minority Ethnic Female Surgeon : A Personal Perspective

Abstract

As a trainer, I have even taught women from certain cultures (who may find this level of contact difficult), that this is ‘normal’ in surgery. After reading the editorial and letter of response, in the Royal College of Surgeon’s Bulletin, [1] I have to think again about what I teach. I have taken for granted that surgeons have some sort of moral standing. Maybe I should be explaining also what they should not be tolerating.

Even as a female surgeon, often at cultural gatherings, I feel I am perceived differently by women from my cultural or ethnic background, even if they are medical professionals themselves. I feel ostracised as being the woman who is playing with the men at their game.  The younger generations however do applaud it, and I see more and more young women have a fervour for surgery. I feel now I want to protect them from this misogyny and sexual harassment more than ever.