Gender and public health space: a case of career progression of female doctors in Uganda Public Medical Services

Abstract

The health sector is one of the most crucial sectors in the world where female doctors could play a significant role. Women play a vital role in Uganda’s socioeconomic development generally, and the health sector in particular. However, many employed women face a lot of challenges at work, and especially when it comes to progressing in their respective careers. The slow progression of female doctors in the health sector has raised concerns. The study was about enduring challenges that prevent female doctors from progressing in their careers in Uganda Public Medical Services using Mulago National and Fort Portal/Buhinga Regional Referral hospitals as case study areas. The overall objective is to investigate the effect of gender on career progression of female doctors in the Uganda public medical services. Specifically, the study analyzed the socio-cultural factors that influence the career progression of female doctors; examines institutional factors that influence the positioning of female doctors; and describes the lived experiences of those who have managed to beat the odds. The research is a qualitative study that adopted a case study research design. The sample size had 14 female doctors and 4 male doctors, 2 mixed focus group discussions with 8 medical students, and 6 key informants (3 Females and 3 Males); Permanent secretary, Commissioner of Health and Human resource officers. The data was collected using interviews, focus group discussions, documentary review and observations. The study findings reveal that institutional barriers, that include the glass ceiling and the personal factors such as lack of work and family life balance were major hindrances to the career progression of women. Study respondents and informants further decried the lack of structured mentorship programs that have the potential to address the under-representation and eliminate the moderate gender stereotyping to ensure equity. Socio-cultural and individual barriers revealed in the study that female doctors face included; patriarchal perceptions and gender stereotyping. There are also various opportunities for enabling female doctors’ career progression in the medical sector like the National Gender Policy 2017. The study recommends: (i) enhancement of career-progression opportunities for female doctors; (ii) role modelling and mentorship opportunities; (iii) stronger gender mainstreaming measures in the health sector; (iv) promoting gender-sensitive work-life balance. Lastly, further research is necessary in interrogating issues that frame female empowerment in different sectors to tease out the particular and generic factors that can be mainstreamed in policy making and implementation.