Women in leadership face numerous challenges, but men have
also played an essential role in supporting them- Rushda Lodhi
Panel Discussion at MWAP Conference at UOL
LAHORE: One of the key highlights of the First National Conference of the Medical Women’s Association of Pakistan (MWAP), held at the University of Lahore on February 26th, was a panel discussion on “Strategies for Fulfillment: Looking Through a Gender Lens in the Health Workforce and Leadership.”
Prof. Lubna Kamani speaking during the panel discussion at National Conference of MWAP held at UOL on Feb. 26th 2025.Other panelists sitting on the Dais include Prof. Tayyaba Wasim, Prof. Nabila Talat, Prof. Ayesha Humayun,
Prof. Somia Iqtadar and Prof. Bilquis Shabbir, Prof. Shamsa Humayun.
The panelists included Prof. Tayyaba Waseem, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at SIMS Lahore; Prof. Nabila Talat, Professor of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Child Health Lahore; Prof. Bilquis Shabbir, Professor of Medicine at Fatima Jinnah Medical University; Prof. Ayesha Humayun, Principal of the Medical College at SZH Lahore; Prof. Lubna Kamani, Gastroenterologist at Liaquat National Hospital Karachi; and Prof. Somia Iqtadar from King Edward Medical University, Lahore. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Nazish Imran, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, King Edward Medical University. Madam Rushda Lodhi, Parliamentary Secretary for the Specialized Health and Medical Education Department, chaired the session.
Below are some of the key questions posed to the panelists and excerpts from their responses:
Q: In your experience, what are the biggest structural or institutional barriers that hinder women’s advancement in healthcare leadership, and how can we address them? How do you see mentorship and sponsorship playing a role in fostering gender equity within the medical profession?
Bushra Butt addressing the participants of the MWAP at its First National Conference. Also seen on the Dais along with her include Prof. Shamsa Humayun, Prof. Shakila Zaman, Prof. Javed Akram, Prof. Attiya Mubarak, Prof. Mahiwsh Arooj and Prof. Wajiha Rizwan.
Prof. Tayyaba Waseem: Leadership for women remains a challenge as society often favors men in leadership roles. No woman has ever been elected as President of the United States, highlighting persistent global biases. In developing countries, societal and cultural barriers further hinder women’s progress. However, the future is promising—we have seen female Prime Ministers and even a female Chief Minister. Women have also proven to be excellent educators, often creating fewer conflicts. However, a lack of spousal support can pose a significant barrier.
Q: Work-life balance is often cited as a major challenge for women in medicine. What strategies have you found most effective in managing professional and personal responsibilities? Many young female healthcare professionals hesitate to take on leadership roles due to workplace biases. What advice would you give them to navigate and overcome these challenges?
Prof. Javed Akram along with Mrs. Shahnaz Raoof chairing a session during the First National Conference of MWAP held at UOL on Feb. 26th 2025.
Prof. Nabila Talat: Time management is crucial. Women in healthcare must balance their professional and personal responsibilities effectively. I ensure that I arrive on time and often leave later than required, around 5:00 PM, but I avoid taking office work home. Tasks should be completed on the same day rather than postponed. Prioritizing work within the workplace allows for a better balance.
Q: Healthcare leadership often requires difficult decision-making in male-dominated spaces. What strategies have helped you assert your leadership while maintaining inclusivity and collaboration? What are some key lessons from your leadership journey that can inspire the next generation of women in medicine?
Prof. Javed Akram presenting a Memento to Dr. Saima Batool in the concluding session of MWAP National Conference held at UOL Lahore.
Prof. Ayesha Humayun: Building a strong team and encouraging shared decision-making fosters ownership and accountability. Collective networking is essential, and policies should consider the unique needs of women balancing work and family life. Male colleagues also require support in family matters. Hard work and a transformational leadership approach are key to building a successful team.
Q: In medical research and academia, do you see gender disparities in recognition and opportunities? What steps can be taken to bridge these gaps? What role do institutional policies play in supporting women’s career growth in healthcare, and how can these policies be made more effective?
Mrs. Shahnaz Raoof presenting a Memento to Madam Rushda Lodhi, Parliamentary Secretary for the Specialized Health and Medical Education Department, Govt. of Punjab in the concluding session of MWAP National Conference.
Prof. Lubna Kamani: While gender parity took over thirty years in parts of Northern Europe, Pakistan has made significant strides by electing women leaders. However, academia and research remain male-dominated. Women often need to work twice as hard to prove themselves. Gender-friendly policies exist but are not effectively implemented. With proper mentoring and policy enforcement, women can achieve leadership positions, as seen in Germany, where female leaders have excelled. Women provide emotional stability and have equal mental capacity but require additional institutional support.
Q: In today’s digital age, social media and online platforms have become powerful tools for professional visibility and advocacy. How can women healthcare professionals leverage these digital spaces effectively to enhance their leadership journey, build networks, and drive meaningful change in the healthcare sector? With increasing discussions on gender-sensitive leadership, what steps can be taken to create more inclusive leadership training and mentorship programs for women?
Glimpses of the First National Conference of Medical Women Association
of Pakistan held at University of Lahore on February 26th 2025.
Prof. Somia Iqtadar: Empowered women empower women. Social media is a powerful tool for health advocacy and professional networking. Healthcare professionals can use online platforms to educate patients, answer societal questions, and collaborate globally. Research findings should be shared with the community to raise awareness. Focused and strategic use of digital media can enhance leadership and facilitate networking among female healthcare leaders.
Prof. Tayyaba Waseem: Leadership training is essential for women. Our achievements come with struggles, and behind every smile, there are untold challenges.
Prof. Nazish Imran Moderator of the Panel Discussion during MWAP National Conference receiving a Memento from Prof. Javed Akram and Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid.
Prof. Nabila Talat: Young women should actively pursue leadership roles. When I was promoted to Professor of Pediatric Surgery, it was challenging because surgery is traditionally male-dominated. Patients often prefer male surgeons, but once they develop trust in a female surgeon’s skills, acceptance follows. Women in leadership must navigate challenges with resilience, provide evidence-based arguments, and work collaboratively with their teams.
Q: Gender bias in medicine can be both explicit and implicit. Have you encountered such biases in your career, and how have you successfully challenged them? What policy changes do you believe are crucial to ensuring greater gender equity in medical education and leadership positions?
Prof. Bilquis Shabbir: I have had excellent mentors, many of whom were male. I commend male colleagues, particularly fathers and husbands, who support and encourage women. My father and husband played pivotal roles in my career, reminding me that I am just as capable as any man. Women should seek mentorship and embrace challenges rather than feeling disheartened.
Prof. Shamsa Humayun: We have produced outstanding women leaders. Both men and women have distinct but equally important roles. Collaboration and mutual support are key to success.
Encouraging Female Leadership in Medical Research and Education
Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid, Chief Editor of the Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, commented that the Pakistan Association of Medical Editors, in collaboration with the University of Health Sciences Lahore, has trained numerous female editors over the past six years. “Today, most biomedical journal editors in Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, and Faisalabad are female. We entrusted them with running our last PAME National Conference at UHS and organizing a post-conference session at the University of Lahore, while we provided guidance from the background. They did a fantastic job.”
Mrs. Shehnaz Rauf, the Chief Guest, emphasized the importance of male support. “Men play crucial roles as fathers, husbands, and sons. When Rauf Sahib resigned from government service to establish a university, it was a difficult journey. He was determined and ultimately succeeded. I had to take care of the family during that time. His perseverance paid off, and he realized his dream within his lifetime. Whatever I am today is because of Rauf Sahib.”
Prof. Gohar Wajid from WHO EMRO, a distinguished medical educationist, congratulated MWAP on organizing a successful conference. Dr. Zahid Pervez emphasized the importance of selflessness and emotional intelligence in professional success, while Prof. Attiya Mubarak noted that sometimes, women themselves create barriers for their female colleagues rather than men. Prof. Mughees Baig remarked that while most of the speakers shared knowledge, the address by the chief guest Mrs. Shehnaz Rauf was words of wisdom.
Madam Rushda Lodhi: Parliamentary Sectarey Specialized Health and Medical Education said that Women in leadership face numerous challenges, but men have also played an essential role in supporting them. I commend mothers for their dedication to raising strong daughters. As a lawyer, I wear a black coat, while you all wear white coats, yet we share similar struggles. When I contested for the Bar Council elections, my husband supported me. However, leadership comes with continuous challenges—solving one problem only leads to another. Despite these obstacles, we must persist. The Chief Minister of Punjab has demonstrated that women can be effective leaders. More opportunities should be provided to women to help them excel.
She concluded her speech with a verse from Faiz Ahmad Faiz:
تم اپنی کرنی کر گزرو
جو ہوگا دیکھا جائے گا
(Do what you must;
the future will unfold itself.)
The Role of Trust and Support in Female Empowerment
Prof. Javed Akram, former Vice Chancellor of UHS and President of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine who was the guest of honour, shared findings from a study indicating that working women make better mothers. “It is unfortunate that many female graduates do not practice medicine. My advice is to trust in marriage as an institution. Both men and women should support each other. Trust is an investment. Leaders create leaders. Islam grants women numerous rights, with motherhood being the most significant. Love, trust, and teamwork between husband and wife are crucial. Invest in relationships and work together as a team to empower women.”
Following the discussion, mementos were presented to the panelists and the chief guest in recognition of their contributions.
