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Ophthalmologists have been urged to promote women’s leadership in eye health to ensure greater participation of women in the healthcare sector.
The call came at a discussion titled “Women Leadership and Gender Mainstreaming in Eye Health in Bangladesh” held in the capital on Wednesday.
Prof Ava Hossain, a globally renowned ophthalmologist and the first Bangladeshi and first woman president of the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), said women should not feel that their age, position or circumstances prevent them from taking leadership roles.
“If we have something to contribute, we should come forward and make our voices heard. Leadership requires courage, commitment and the willingness to work with others,” she said.
She said leadership did not simply come from holding a formal position.
“Everyone should try to develop themselves through self-education. We should attend seminars and conferences, set targets for ourselves and think about how we can reach a leadership position,” she said.
Ava Hossain said leadership development should begin at home and within professional organisations.
The Ophthalmology Women Circle of the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB) organised the event with support from Orbis International. Ophthalmologists from different medical colleges and healthcare facilities attended the discussion.
National Institute of Ophthalmology Director Dr Sayeed Mehbub ul Kadir, OSB President Dr Md Tauhidur Rahman, Secretary General Prof Dr Zinnu Rain, Vice-President Prof Md Sayedul Huq, Adviser Prof Dr Md Shahabuddin, Orbis International Country Director Dr Munir Ahmed and Associate Director Md Iqbal Hossain spoke at the event.
Prof Dr Zakia Sultana Shahid shared her journey as an ophthalmologist, while Prof Dr Jesmin Ahmed presented a paper on the role of physician intercommunication.
Nazme Sabina, Chief Executive of DevResonance Limited, conducted a session on gender mainstreaming in eye health.
Dr Sayeed Mehbub ul Kadir said Bangladesh was poised for renewed momentum in eye care, noting that the country had been primarily selected for the Global Vision Award, which he said would bring significant funding to the sector.
He urged ophthalmologists to prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
Dr Munir Ahmed praised the contribution of women physicians but said they remained underrepresented in leadership positions.
“The number of women physicians is high. But when it comes to leadership, we still see very little representation of women. There is a clear disparity between women’s participation in the health workforce and their presence in leadership positions,” he said.
He said mentorship could play a vital role in addressing the disparity and helping more women advance into leadership positions.
Prof Md Sayedul Huq and Prof Md Shahabuddin urged ophthalmologists to take greater responsibility in their professional roles, saying this would help pave the way for them to assume leadership positions, says a press release.