- Strategy 2: Challenge the Myths
Stereotypes unchallenged are stereotypes accepted. Point out the
discrepancies between stereotypes and women's reality. Arm yourself
with the facts provided earlier in the "Challenging the Myths"
section.
- Strategy 3: Use the Media
The media is vital to effecting change. Never hesitate to contact
the media and make them aware of actions, workshops, or other activities.
Encourage reporters to cover feminist health issues in your area.
Local radio and TV talk shows should also be encouraged to devote
programs to women's concerns.
- Strategy 4: Consider Legal Alternatives
Sometimes, despite the best efforts to correct a problem, one's
only recourse is to take legal action. Such was the case when, in
the early 1970s, feminist organizations sued every single medical
school in the nation to stop discriminatory acceptance procedures.
Legal action and the threat of legal action were largely responsible
for the tremendous increase in women medical students.
Your nearest women's or medical women's organization can provide
information as to your legal rights.
- Strategy 5: Push for Gender Balance
Gender balance laws and regulations are a new concept designed
to make decision-making bodies more representative of the population.
Push for gender balance regulations within professional societies,
departments and faculty appointments. Gender balance can also be
applied to research institutions, hospitals, and any other body
whose decisions will affect both men and women.
- Strategy 6: Recognize Sex Discrimination and Harassment
Even today women are reporting being purposely not informed of
meetings of their own committees and being fondled by supervisors
in the operating room. Yet many women are made to feel guilty about
raising objections, being told to "lighten up" or that
"it wasn't a big deal."
Sexual harassment is a big deal, but women must recognize it rather
than internalize it, which only leads to low self-esteem and high
stress levels.
Forewarned is forearmed. Read up on sexual harassment or contact
a medical women's organization for information on how to not only
recognize sex discrimination but how to counter it effectively.
- Strategy 7: Develop Your Leadership Potential
Sharpen your leadership skills so that when an opportunity arises,
you'll be ready to step in. Talk to women in positions you'd like
to have. Ask them about the duties of their job.
Your visibility to women just starting out can make a critical
difference in their future. Invite those at entry levels to meetings
and dispuss their career plans with them. Encourage them to see
themselves not just as workers but as potential leaders. Offer advice
on how they can get their careers started and where to go for more
information. Most importantly, go the extra mile to make their career
path easier.
Picture yourself in a leadership position, then chart out what
steps need to be taken to get there. Set definite goals for yourself
and aim high. One of the biggest obstacles women sometimes have
to overcome is not seeing themselves as potential leaders. But,
as Dr. Lila Wallis has pointed out in the Journal of the American
Medical Women's Association (JAMWA), "Every woman physician
is a leader. She had to be to get where she is."
- Strategy 8: Encourage Other Women
- Strategy 9: Speak Out - Remember, You're in the Majority
Breaking the silence has a tremendous impact. It puts women's
issues at the forefront of everyone's mind and identifies them as
legitimate topics to be addressed.
Judith Lorber, writing in JAMWA, put it best: "Until
the average competent male physician will sponsor the average competent
female physician the way he will another min, it is up to average
women to sponsor their sisters."
At every opportunity, point out gender imbal ances. Meetings,
conventions, committee sessions and classrooms all provide opportunities
to comment on the lack of women and demonstrate how the absence
of women translates to absence of new perspectives and vital information.
Re@nd everyone that women do make a difference and that when women
are missing, everyone suffers.
When discussing research reports or journal articles, notice whether
women were included. Even something that seems as "insignificant"
as speaking out in class or raising an issue relating to women "without
apology" demonstrates to those who bear you that women's issues
are taken seriously by others.
Don't hesitate: Remember, feminists are th majority. In a 1986
Newsweek / Gallup poll, 71% the women surveyed believe the
women's movement has improved their lives. Three years later a Time
magazine poll found that 81% of women think the movement is still
improving their lives.
With data like this it's clear that women's issues are supported
and should be addressed by those in the field of medicine. Women
in medicine must first speak out.
