Sexist jokes, persistent violence, male hierarchies: during the general meetings of the Femmes de Santé collective, women denounced these abuses and demanded cultural and structural reforms.
- Driven by initiatives such as those of the Femmes de Santé collective, the #MeToo movement in health highlights systemic violence and offers solutions, such as reinforced reporting systems and education campaigns.
- Despite a marked feminization (60% of new medical students are women), data show that nearly 48% of female doctors have suffered sexist violence during their studies.
- Recent studies confirm that better diversity in medical teams improves patient care, thus reinforcing the urgency of building a more “inclusive and equitable” medicine.
The #MeToo movement, sweeping through the world of work, has reached hospitals and laboratories, revealing decades of ordinary sexism and trivialized violence. For Audrey Bramly, an anesthesia-intensive care resident and member of the Paris interns’ union, the situation is alarming:
“In one month, I received more than 20 written testimonies from interns denouncing acts of sexual harassment, and 10% concerned rape. »
The violence is systemic. It manifests itself in hierarchical relationships, sexist remarks, and even in women’s career paths: “We still ask a woman surgeon how she plans to reconcile her profession with pregnancy, as if professional ambition and motherhood were incompatible”explains Maïssa Boukerrou, president of the union of interns in general medicine in Paris.
A stubborn “glass ceiling”
Despite their strong presence among medical students, representing 60% of the student body, women still encounter difficulties accessing certain specialties such as surgery or anesthesia, where cultural and professional barriers remain.
François Jolin, anesthetist-resuscitator and health consultant, spoke of the patriarchal culture still well anchored in the hospital: “Dominating behaviors are self-perpetuating, especially in a system where careers take place in the same structures for decades. »
The glass ceiling, mentioned by several speakers, is not only visible in the hospital. Nathalie Delphin, dental surgeon and president of the union of women dental surgeons, denounces discrimination in the liberal sector: “The banks refused me loans to open my practice, because I was a woman, therefore a ‘risk’. »
Minimized but omnipresent violence
The conference also highlighted gender-based and sexual violence, which begins in medical training. According to a recent survey, 48% of female doctors were victims of gender-based violence during their studies.
For Isabelle Lonjon, former academic and now medical director at Roche, the inaction in the face of reports is particularly worrying: “Existing systems must guarantee the anonymity and security of victims, but also effectively punish the attackers. Today, this is not yet the case. »
The speakers noted the need to change the paradigm: reverse the balance of power so that it is the aggressors, and not the victims, who fear the consequences.
The solutions: train, prevent, and empower
Among the innovative initiatives mentioned, Sofia Lopez, HR development director at MGEN, presented a national plan to combat sexism and sexual harassment.
This plan includes: uan awareness campaign (the “little ducks” posters) to make an impression, umandatory training for all employees on sexist behavior, un anonymous reporting and monitoring system.
In the pharmaceutical industry, Charlotte Scordia-Warenbourg, communications director at Amgen, shared an equally bold approach: a provocative internal campaign, playing on “fictitious drugs” like Mega Sexitab Or Homophobiteto denounce toxic remarks and behavior in the workplace. “It was a visual shock which allowed us to open a dialogue, even with those who did not want to hear about these subjects”she explains.
Towards a more egalitarian medicine
The debate concluded on a note of hope and action. Nathalie Delphin reminded us that progress is possible: “We have achieved that pregnant women can no longer be dismissed in the liberal sector. This shows that when we mobilize, things happen. »
Each speaker gave advice to new generations:
- “Dare, don’t set any limits for yourself, and get support from mentors. » – Isabelle Lonjon.
- “Be ambitious and remember that your differences are your strengths. » – Tatiana Tofanciuc.