HUMILIATION OF WOMEN IN RECRUITMENT IN ARMY
There was an article in the Chennai edition of “The Hindu” on the 23rd September,2004 where The All India Democratic Women Association (AIDWA) had moved the court against alleged humiliation of women in the recruitment process of Indian Army.
I very much respect the pivotal and productive role played by AIDWA in safeguarding the interests of women in various issues. But this time I think they are dragging things a bit too far.
Their contention is that women army recruits are subjected to “intimate physical examination” by male doctors during the medical examination conducted as part of recruitment procedure. I think this statement is highly immoral and unethical and a great insult to the medical fraternity at large. How can somebody call a detailed medical examination conducted by a qualified Doctor appointed by the Indian Army to be an “Intimate physical examination”. The meaning of the word “intimate” denotes a close personal relationship or something with a sexual intention. I definitely feel to generalise the relationship between a Doctor and a patient as “intimate” here is highly objectionable and abusive to the noble profession of medicine.
Does the AIDWA mean that every case where a male doctor examines a female amounts to an “intimate physical examination” and should be banned. This is because they cannot specifically state that only the medical examination conducted in the course of army recruitment can fall under “intimate physical examination” which would then amount to an allegation of sexual abuse on the doctors concerned. And if the ban is put to effect as desired by the AIDWA, then no female hereafter can ever approach a male doctor for consultation in India.
WILL YOU CALL THIS A SERVICE OR DISSERVICE TO THE FEMALE FRATERNITY BY AIDWA
I very much respect the pivotal and productive role played by AIDWA in safeguarding the interests of women in various issues. But this time I think they are dragging things a bit too far.
Their contention is that women army recruits are subjected to “intimate physical examination” by male doctors during the medical examination conducted as part of recruitment procedure. I think this statement is highly immoral and unethical and a great insult to the medical fraternity at large. How can somebody call a detailed medical examination conducted by a qualified Doctor appointed by the Indian Army to be an “Intimate physical examination”. The meaning of the word “intimate” denotes a close personal relationship or something with a sexual intention. I definitely feel to generalise the relationship between a Doctor and a patient as “intimate” here is highly objectionable and abusive to the noble profession of medicine.
Does the AIDWA mean that every case where a male doctor examines a female amounts to an “intimate physical examination” and should be banned. This is because they cannot specifically state that only the medical examination conducted in the course of army recruitment can fall under “intimate physical examination” which would then amount to an allegation of sexual abuse on the doctors concerned. And if the ban is put to effect as desired by the AIDWA, then no female hereafter can ever approach a male doctor for consultation in India.
WILL YOU CALL THIS A SERVICE OR DISSERVICE TO THE FEMALE FRATERNITY BY AIDWA
posted by hari at
2:45 PM
6 Comments:
please feel free to comment or criticize my views. it would help immensely.
By
hari, at 2:24 AM
Hi,
U are correct, When people are working in professional environments, we can't say it as 'Intimate physical examination'. Think about male gynecologists working in hospitals around the world.
MK
exclubiz at Gmail dot com
By
Anonymous, at 11:55 PM
Many a times this AIDWA crosses the limit making mockery of themselves. If they have any specific allegation against a particular doctor or a particular centre, then this makes sense. But generalising this is BS.
Thinking further on this, suppose if they want the medical examination for women be banned and if that happens, men folk would go to the court alleging gender discrimination... where wd all these lead to?
By
Chakra, at 1:01 AM
Hari.. lets take this from a womans point of view..There have been cases where the Gynaecologists have abused their pregnant patients!! I am not oubting the integrity of the male doctors.. but asking women..especially Indian to undress in front of unknown men still is an uncomfortable topic..I think the only way out of this is to get more women doctors into the Army:)
Anu
By
Anu, at 5:15 AM
Hari.. lets take this from a womans point of view..There have been cases where the Gynaecologists have abused their pregnant patients!! I am not oubting the integrity of the male doctors.. but asking women..especially Indian to undress in front of unknown men still is an uncomfortable topic..I think the only way out of this is to get more women into the Army:)
Anu
By
Anu, at 5:15 AM
Hi Anu,
Thanks for your valuable comments. I fully agree with you when u say there are male doctors acting not exactly in a noble way. And I would definitely support the Indian woman demanding action against them, even their expulsion from the profession.
But that in no way gives a woman organisation the right to issue a very general statement like male doctors subjecting woman to "Intimate physical examination". The word "Intimate" is highly innappropriate to be generalised in this context.
By
hari, at 10:27 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home