Male Patient walked-in: Baby girl!
Me: Please, don’t address me as such, I am your Doctor.
Patient : Okay, baby woman…
Me: Sir, please stop addressing me as such. Will you address the male Doctor as a baby boy?
Him: The MD is much older than you. Is it because you are a Doctor? You are a small girl.
Me: Closed folder, sent it out and reported harassment.
On another occasion, a male Patient tried to start an informal sexual conversation in my office. I tried to politely stop him but you know his defense? Quite laughable. He said, “do you know if I want to buy you a small car that you can drive to work?” sounds unbelievable right? But this is my truth and whether it sounds awkward, unbelievable or not won’t change the reality I face from day to day at work.
We “female” suffer. From harassment on the street, market place and now, the workplace and at the height, a hospital – meant to be a safe space. To think that men in the office judged it “trivial” is worrisome. One coworker actually said I should get “used to it” since I already worked in an area dominated by businessmen in the past. Like, really? I should get used to an ill-mannered man because I work in Nigeria? The other asserted that I shouldn’t use western right mentality here.
You know, this occurrence at the workplace is this bad and many of us, even as healthcare professionals go through it daily. That you aren’t protected in the street by day or night, then your workplace isn’t safe too. This has to be addressed.
We females are human. If I say NO, let it mean NO. Stop the harassment.
About Author
Dr Ifunanya Igweze is a Medical Officer in Lagos State and Gender based violence advocate.
