Medical workers in India initiated a nationwide strike to protest the rape and killing of a trainee doctor at a state-run hospital in West Bengal. The Indian Medical Association, the country’s largest group of doctors, organized the strike, leading to the shutdown of non-essential services at hospitals across India for 24 hours. The victim’s family alleges that it was a gang rape and have demanded justice.
The protests, predominantly led by women, have intensified in recent days, with demands for a safer working environment for medical workers. The strike has impacted thousands of patients across the country, as medical workers demand justice for the victim and safety guarantees for doctors and paramedics in hospitals and medical campuses.
The case of the trainee doctor’s assault has raised concerns about the vulnerability of medical workers who operate without proper safety facilities. The Indian Medical Association has called for public support in their quest for justice and stricter laws to protect medical workers from violence.
Sexual violence against women is a pervasive issue in India, with many cases going unreported due to the stigma and lack of faith in the police. The number of reported rape cases in the country has been on the rise, with 31,516 cases recorded in 2022, a 20% increase from the previous year. The 2012 gang rape and killing of a student in New Delhi prompted nationwide protests, leading to harsher penalties for such crimes and the introduction of fast-track courts dedicated to rape cases.
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