Africa-Press – Ethiopia. African women are increasingly earning recognition as highly skilled surgeons who blend empathy with clinical excellence, transforming healthcare across the continent despite lingering societal biases, according to Rwandan Medical Officer Dr. Uwase Clemence.
Speaking during the Pan-African Surgical Healthcare Forum (PASHeF) in Addis Ababa (November 5–7, 2025), Dr. Clemence highlighted the unique strengths women bring to the surgical field, emphasizing that compassion and expertise go hand in hand.
“Women surgeons often have a caring attitude that aligns with their natural nurturing instincts,” she said. “This personal touch makes patients feel valued and understood.”
For generations, traditional beliefs in many African cultures often discouraged women from pursuing medicine, particularly surgery. Today, that narrative is shifting. However, Dr. Clemence stressed that the growing number of women in surgery reflects not just skill, but determination to overcome entrenched societal doubts.
“Some people still question their abilities,” she explained. “They think women can’t succeed in surgery, or they worry women won’t balance work with family life.”
Despite these challenges, women surgeons continue to prove otherwise, excelling professionally while managing family responsibilities.
“It is absolutely possible for a woman to be a doctor and still take good care of her family,” Dr. Clemence affirmed.
She cited Rwanda as a strong example of progress, noting the country’s commitment to gender equality, where women hold 60 percent of parliamentary seats.
The government also promotes equal access to education, ensuring that half of all scholarship recipients are women.
Dr. Clemence urged policymakers to continue creating supportive environments for women in medicine, stating, “If those in leadership keep developing policies that empower women, the biases in our communities will gradually fade.”
She concluded with a message of encouragement for aspiring female surgeons: “The first step is connecting women and showing them what’s possible. My message is simple, believe in yourself. You can achieve success if you truly want it.”
African women surgeons are not only breaking stereotypes but are actively elevating healthcare standards with their compassion and dedication, marking a new era where gender no longer defines who can excel in medicine.
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