Obstetrics and Gynaecology
@drwombastic (Instagram account for reproductive awareness)
Tell us about the start of your journey working for a social cause. What spurred it on?
As a woman and an obstetrician gynaecologist, I began to notice the many difficulties women faced in seeking out and obtaining healthcare. Women all over the world are less likely to be taken seriously when seeking medical help. A 2000 study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that women are seven times more likely than men to be misdiagnosed and discharged in the middle of having a heart attack. A painful and possibly debilitating disease for women, endometriosis, is known to have a typical delay in diagnosis of 8-9 years, not in small part due to the fact that the horrendously painful periods associated with them tend to be dismissed as “normal”. Awareness of normal functions like menstruation are also lacking – with one study noting that 75 per cent of Indian girls don’t know what a period is until it actually happens to them. I started making small, simple videos about all of these medical issues related to women’s health. This slowly has extended to seminars and sessions for women and girls all over Goa where I talk about periods, puberty and more.
What challenges do women face when attempting to resolve social issues?
Menstruation and periods – a completely normal and physiological process – is still shrouded in taboo in our country. Many women and girls are completely isolated during their period, made to eat from separate utensils, not allowed to touch plants/ children, banned from entering the kitchen or places of worship. On the other extreme, women with severe period pain are forced to soldier on and persevere at work or at home. Only with continued awareness and knowledge will any of this change. The Kerala government has recently taken a huge step and granted period leave to students. The change has to percolate deeper into individual families to truly make an impact on women’s lives. I
am hopeful that things will slowly but surely change for the better.
How important is your family support in your cause?
It would be impossible without their support. Having three small children and a full-time job at the hospital makes it difficult to make time for passion projects. Fortunately, my family understands how important this aspect is to me, and has always stood by me.
What was the toughest challenge you faced so far? How did you overcome it and what did you learn from it?
There is still a lot of resistance when it comes to myths and taboo about periods and sex education. Many parents are reluctant for their children to receive this kind of education fearing that they are too young or it will lead to promiscuity. The facts are that the age of puberty has dramatically dropped all over the world with girls getting their period as early as age nine or 10. With the internet and social media, misinformation is rampant. Parents need to realise that this information needs to come from them or a credible source. This will hugely impact their children’s lives and health in the long run.
How do you juggle your personal and professional life?
It is a huge advantage that my husband is also a gynaecologist and a hands-on parent, allowing us to switch roles and support each other whether it be at home, at work or giving each other the freedom to work on our passion projects.
What strategies do you use to face crises?
I have a strong support system in my family which I am grateful for. Faith plays a central role in my life. I have deeply rooted beliefs in what I do and why I do it – that helps me stay firm through any bad weather.
What’s the most significant risk you’ve undertaken?
Coming from a conservative background and talking about things that are normally swept under the table in our society was unnerving. A firm belief in what I do gave me that push to move forward.
Your message to those who want to take up social causes / welfare in society.
If there is something that you truly believe in then don’t let anything hold you back. Do your research, find the resources that you need to effect change. Remember, there are people who will greatly benefit from your toil. Passionate, driven people will change the world.
