Breaking the Silence on Workplace Safety of Women Healthcare Workers: Are we doing Enough?

INTRODUCTION

In May 2023 Kerala, a young lady doctor was murdered in her workplace. One year down the line, in August 2024 West Bengal, a heinous act of rape and murder takes place on a young lady doctor in a Medical College, meant to save lives and uphold human dignity. If we dig deep, this in-between period is dotted with innumerable unreported cases of workplace violence (WPV) of variable intensities.¹

Let us break the silence and embark on a journey of treading the complex landscape of being a woman in a human world that, on the one hand, reveres and celebrates them as symbols of virtue, strength, and even divinity, yet largely deems them marginalized and vulnerable. Over the years, little has changed in policy implementation or security infrastructure and, underscores a critical issue that transcends the boundaries of any single profession: The safety of women in the workplace. These are not isolated incidents but manifestations of the broader vulnerabilities women face across various professional environments, including healthcare. It compels us to question: Are we doing enough to protect women at their workplaces, particularly in professions dedicated to caring for others?

PREVALENT VULNERABILITY

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health puts WPV as “any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting,” with nearly 8–38% of female healthcare workers experiencing it. This number may, in all probability, reflect an underreported picture stemming from fear of retaliation, social stigma, and lack of institutional support.^2,3 A scoping review on gender-based WPV revealed that 64% of studies reported an increased prevalence of all forms of WPV for women, which included sexual violence, verbal abuse, discrimination, bullying, and physical violence of variable forms.⁴ In India, the National Crime Records Bureau reports an escalating trend in crimes against women in workplaces over the past 5 years. Alarmingly, healthcare settings are found to be more prone, showing that even women in privileged positions, such as doctors and nurses, are not immune to such heinous acts of violence.⁵

CURRENT LEGISLATION

Our country has the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) which intends to provide a comprehensive framework for addressing sexual harassment but finds dismal application. Many institutions do not have functional Internal Complaints Committees/Vishakha Committees, and awareness among employees is minimal. Besides, the POSH act primarily focuses on harassment and does not address the various forms of WPV, such as assault or threats of violence. It also does not substantiate any clear guidance to ensure a physically secure gender-sensitive working environment.⁶

In addition, the Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions Code, 2020, while bringing together various labor laws, fails to incorporate specific measures to safeguard women from violence and harassment comprehensively. Even global standards, such as the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment, which calls for participating nations to “respect, promote and realize the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment,” are yet to be fully ratified or implemented in many countries, including India.⁵ In the wake of the August 9^th, 2024 incident of rape and murder of a lady doctor, the State government launched the “Rattirer Sathi” program to ensure security measures for female workers and the “Aparajita Bill” for speedy justice of offenders of all forms. On the one hand, it speaks of Mobile Apps, Helplines, Women Volunteers, closed circuit television coverage, and the use of breath analyzers, and on the other hand, it suggests restricting the duty hours of women workers and Night duties.⁷

THE CONSEQUENCES: BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE

The implications of WPV against women are profound and far-reaching. For the victims, immediate physical and psychological trauma can lead to long-term mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The ripple effects extend beyond the individual, affecting workplace morale, productivity, and even patient care. It has been documented that healthcare institutions with high rates of WPV report increased absenteeism, lower job satisfaction, and higher turnover rates among staff – all of which compromise the quality of care provided to patients.⁸

Moreover, the pervasive fear and insecurity resulting from such incidents can deter women from pursuing careers in fields perceived as unsafe, especially healthcare. This not only aggravates the existing lack of gender parity in leadership roles within the sector but also hinders the overall progress toward gender equality in the workplace.

NAVIGATING TOWARD A SAFER FUTURE: A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH

Globally, if we do not strive to end violence against women and girls, evidence points out that almost 14 of the 17 sustainable development goals will remain unachieved.⁹ To transition from the current environment of vulnerability to one of safety and empowerment for women, particularly in healthcare settings, a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy is imperative.

CONCLUSION: MOVING FORWARD TO SAFER DAYS

To ensure the safety and well-being of women in the workplace, especially in healthcare settings, stakeholders of all levels, from policymakers, healthcare administrators, and society at large, need to address the vulnerability by enforcing effective legislation, promoting institutional accountability, and gender sensitivity. We need to do away with the social structures that perpetuate violence and create safer environments for all without putting restrictions on the way of functioning of women. To ensure a safer future for women, we require collective, sustained advocacy, and unwavering commitment at both the community and policy level. We cannot wait for another gory incident to befall a woman and realize once and for all, that the safety of women in a workplace is not negotiable but a fundamental human right that must be upheld.