Misrepresenting Female Doctors in Pakistan: How the “Doctor Bride” Phenomenon Causes Epistemic Injustice

Abstract

Gender discrimination in the medical profession is a pressing issue in Pakistan, and the derogatory term “Doctor Bride” has perpetuated harmful stereotypes about female doctors. This paper argues that gender biases and societal expectations hinder women from pursuing careers in medicine. The focus on the term and stereotyping of female doctors is based on prejudice, which results in epistemic injustices. It fails to address the systemic issues that keep female doctors out of clinical practice. The cultural norms and prejudices towards women in professional settings exacerbate the challenges they face in pursuing a medical career. These challenges include social and cultural expectations of prioritizing family over careers, biases in healthcare organizations, and discouragement for married women or those with children to pursue certain specialties. This paper highlights the need to address gender discrimination and create a more inclusive environment for women in the medical profession in Pakistan and globally.