The Unsung Struggles of Female Medical Residents: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Future

Abstract

The journey through medical residency is a tough test, especially for female health professionals worldwide. As medical field advances and more female students are getting enrolled in medical colleges, an increasing number of women are joining residency programs bringing unique perspectives and invaluable contributions. In Pakistan, female students ratio has increased tremendously in medical colleges. It is reported to be 3:1 and even 4:1 in some medical colleges1. Despite this, the ratio of female workforce remain below 50% due to multiple factors at social, organizational and individual level. There is restriction to work from in laws, child bearing and rearing difficulties, inequalities in promotions which hinder girls to join residency trai- ning.2