Are our doctors safe?

On April 24, Malaysian Medics International (MMI) will be gathering four esteemed speakers in a virtual panel discussion to discuss how sexual harassment affects doctors in Malaysia.

How many are affected, and why is it such a significant problem? Why are doctors afraid to speak out? What can doctors do when they are sexually harassed? How do we create a safe working environment for doctors?

The panel discussion: "Sexual Harassment: Doctors – The Hidden Victims", which is free and open to the public, will take place on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 4pm to 6pm on Zoom (Streamed to Facebook Live).

The panel will feature prominent women, including Betty Yeoh (All Women's Action Society, AWAM), Dr Lee Yew Fong (Malaysian Medical Association, MMA), Professor Dr Dayang Anita Abdul Aziz (National Council of Women's Organizations, NCWO) and Isabel Chung (Women's Aid Organization, WAO).

This initiative is complementary to our policy campaign 'Gender Equality and the Healthcare Workforce'.

Gender inequality remains a pervasive issue throughout the Malaysian society, with rudimentary measures such as a Gender Equality Bill yet to be tabled after decades of independence.

Our campaign seeks to highlight current issues and influencing factors surrounding gender inequality to further raise awareness on workplace violence and sexual harassment in Malaysia.

Malaysian Medics International (MMI) found that 12% of 143 medical officers experienced sexual harassment at some point in their career, through a survey conducted in 2019.

The current trend observed within the healthcare workforce features a lack of systemic accountability for perpetrators of sexual harassment, instead relying on isolated cases going viral on social media to raise transient awareness.

Unfortunately, many of these cases then fade with no meaningful legal repercussions towards perpetrators. Hence, sexual harassment and violence is perpetuated among healthcare workers through a dire combination of factors, including:

1. The glaring absence of prevalence data;

2. The absence of solid effective legislation;

3. A lack of formal avenues to seek victim protection, and

4. A continued stigmatization of sexual harassment victims through no fault of their own.

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has stretched doctors beyond an already demanding capacity, leading to burn out, anxiety and depression.

Regrettably, even as healthcare workers near their breaking point, they continue to face threats of gender discrimination, sexual harassment and assault in their workplace.

So, are we doing enough to protect our doctors?

Join us and find out more by joining our panel discussion at MMI Facebook Live Stream on April 24th, Saturday from 4pm to 6pm.

For more information, visit: MMI's Facebook page or the Facebook event page, or contact us at [email protected].