Social media platforms—and people across different countries—erupted in outrage over a categorical statement:
“There is no outstanding female surgeon in the world. And if there is one, she is either unmarried or masculine.”
I was shocked by this sweeping claim, made by a well-known academic doctor. Where did he get such unfounded certainty? By making it, he unleashed a tidal wave of anger—much of it from men themselves, including husbands of female surgeons. The truth is undeniable: the world is full of distinguished women surgeons, many of them married. And by his logic, any woman surgeon must be “masculine”? Absurd!
There is no justification for such remarks. Yes, traditions have long perpetuated the idea that surgery—especially delicate procedures—is unsuitable for women. Yes, cultural biases against women have directly affected the perception of them as surgeons. But to declare categorically that they do not exist? Nonsense. The operating theater is not some male fortress. Women can, and do, excel in surgical roles. Patients around the world accept—and trust—them.
We cannot rely on shallow internet claims without verified sources. I have personally reviewed numerous studies that prove otherwise. These studies attribute the lower numbers of women in surgery not to lack of skill, but to persistent stereotypes. Dr. Clare Marx, the first female president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Britain, once noted that only about 800 female surgeons practiced in the UK—roughly 11% of the total. She pointed to deep gender inequality in the field, according to a BBC report. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Toronto found that women, in fact, perform surgery with greater skill than men.
A survey of newly qualified doctors in the UK revealed that 68% of female doctors felt surgery was not a welcoming specialty for women. The problem is therefore societal, driven by a male-dominated culture. Yet despite the challenges, women surgeons continue to excel—while remaining fully feminine, whether married or not.
Consider some regional examples:
-
Jordan: A recent study by the Jordanian Women’s Solidarity Institute reported more than 15 women surgeons.
-
Egypt: There are 2,797 women surgeons—many of them married.
-
Gaza: Dr. Mona Keskin stands as the only female neurosurgeon in the region—and she, too, is married.
-
Kuwait and the Gulf: The numbers are smaller, but still notable, with women active in various surgical specialties, many of them married.
Yes, the lifestyle of surgery—being on-call day and night—creates difficulties. But women surgeons are present, capable, and thriving.
From my perspective, we must break these stereotypes and cultural prejudices once and for all. It is clear that my colleague did not approach the issue with objectivity or scientific rigor. His statement lacked both methodology and credible statistics. “How could there be none?!” By saying so, he embarrassed himself before the world. And as a respected academic, this misstep has opened doors of criticism that will not easily close.
May wisdom guide him. I leave it to the public to respond to such claims.
