A month or so ago I was honoured to be invited to give a keynote lecture at the American European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery 2022 on “Unconscious Gender Bias – How can we change our outlook?, in Antwerp, Belgium.
I am deeply grateful to the organising committee for the very kind invitation to present on something close to my heart, and for placing issues like these at the front and centre of the current conversation.
In this lecture I was able to speak to existing Champions of Change and dissected some of the evidence for those who might also become agents of change in their spheres of influence, many of those in senior gatekeeping roles themselves.
What touched me especially were the stories of women who came forward and shared their very real experiences in the aftermath of the talk. Women from very junior to very senior roles, from over Europe and abroad. Stories that were raw and recent, echoing the evidence presented.
What also struck me were the young male ophthalmologists who also were able to share onstage and provide insights into the experiences of their partners in medicine and ophthalmology. They too could see, understand and feel what was was being voiced.
And also encouragingly, the senior men who came to learn, ask questions and engage from a place of deep earnestness.
Thankyou immensely to Prof Sheraz Daya, Drs Radika Rampat, Davit Shaznarayan and the organising committee for the opportunity, and for showing such leadership in this area. Looking forward to more open conversations as we all grow.
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