The protests following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old female trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata have sparked widespread demands for justice, particularly around women’s safety. However, many female doctors are frustrated by the underrepresentation of women in the protests, despite the movement being sparked by violence against a woman.
While male doctors have dominated the movement’s leadership, female doctors feel sidelined in a cause that should highlight the voices of women. Gauri Seth, a resident doctor, expressed disappointment that men are taking control of the narrative, overshadowing the central issue of women’s safety. Female doctors argue that their voices, especially on what makes them feel unsafe in their workplace, are not being adequately heard.
Activists like Kavita Krishnan and Satabdi Das emphasize the need to focus on the gendered nature of the crime. They argue that the conversation has drifted away from viewing the incident as a gender crime to focusing on broader issues like the rot in the medical system. This shift in narrative, coupled with the lack of female, queer, and transgender representation in the protests, has led to concerns that the feminist purpose of the movement is being diluted.
Many participants now feel that the protest, while valid in its calls for justice, fails to fully address the unique vulnerabilities women face in the healthcare system and beyond.