India: doctors on strike after a colleague’s rape
The rape and murder of a young female doctor trainee has triggered outrage beyond the medical community
A heinous crime shook India and led doctors from all over the country to call for a national strike. The rape and murder of a young female doctor trainee at the prestigious R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata triggered a wave of outrage and pain that has swept across the medical community.
A crime that makes you tremble
The victim, a 31-year-old woman, was found dead in a hospital seminar room, where she was supposed to find shelter during her shift. A volunteer has been arrested on charges of murder, but the investigation is still ongoing.
A cry of alarm
The news has triggered a chain reaction. Doctors from all over India felt the need to make their voices heard, to express their anger and fear. The national strike was called by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to demand justice and greater security for all health professionals. ” If such a crime can happen in a medical school, where should we feel safe?” , asks the president of IMA, R.V. Asokan. “This shows that everywhere doctors are at risk”.
The demands of doctors
Indian doctors are calling for concrete measures to ensure their safety:
- Increased legal protections: A law reform to more severely punish attacks on health professionals
- Strengthening safety in hospitals: More cameras, alarm systems and security personnel
- Safe spaces: The creation of areas dedicated to rest and relaxation, where doctors can feel protected
- Justice for the victim: A thorough and transparent investigation, leading to the conviction of the perpetrators and fair compensation for the family
A wider problem
Violence against women is an endemic problem in India. The case of the young doctor has highlighted the vulnerability of all women, even within institutions. The doctors’ strike is a strong signal, an invitation to reflect on the condition of women in India and to work for a safer future for all.
An appeal to unity
The murder of the young doctor united Indian doctors in a single front. But the battle for justice has only just begun. Civil society, institutions and government must work together to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.
Sources and images