A Pakistani woman doctor navigates tradition and modernity in a hospital setting.

Breaking Barriers: How Pakistani Women Doctors are Redefining Workplace Modesty

Author's portrait.
Beau Callahan in Culture & Society June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore the unique challenges and triumphs of Pakistani women doctors navigating cultural expectations and professional demands in a patriarchal society."


In the bustling surgical ward of an Afridi Hospital, a quiet moment unfolds. Two women surgeons, fatigued from a relentless emergency shift, seek respite in a space that barely accommodates them. As the morning shift commences, the room quickly fills with male surgeons, their presence overshadowing the space. The women, Dr. Sumera and Dr. Rukhsana, gather their belongings and quietly retreat to the nurses' duty room, relinquishing their claim to space. This scene encapsulates the daily realities faced by many Pakistani women doctors, a constant negotiation between personal identity, cultural expectations, and professional aspirations.

This dynamic, deeply embedded in Pakistani workplaces, reveals the intricacies of purdah—a system of gender-based ethics promoting modesty and propriety—and its impact on professional women. While purdah stems from religious precepts, it has evolved within Pakistan’s socio-cultural and historical context, influenced by traditions of gender segregation, colonial experiences, and nationalist movements. As a result, it presents unique challenges and opportunities for women in medicine.

This article delves into the lived experiences of Pakistani women doctors as they navigate these complex dynamics. Through an exploration of purdah's various dimensions—from sartorial choices and norms of interaction to spatial segregation and gendered language—we uncover the systemic marginalization these women face, as well as their resilience and innovative strategies for success. By understanding these realities, we can work towards fostering more inclusive and equitable workplaces that honor both cultural heritage and professional advancement.

Decoding Purdah: More Than Just a Veil

A Pakistani woman doctor navigates tradition and modernity in a hospital setting.

In Pakistan, purdah extends beyond mere sartorial choices; it is a multifaceted system encompassing behavior, interactions, and the very architecture of social spaces. Though rooted in Islamic ideals of modesty, its interpretation varies significantly across different social strata, religious affiliations, and regional customs. For Pakistani women doctors, navigating these nuances becomes an intricate dance, balancing religious convictions with professional expectations.

The concept of purdah is deeply contextual, shaped by cultural practices of gender segregation, historical experiences, and religious movements. It is not simply a religious practice but a localized institution that significantly impacts women's participation in the public sphere. In Pakistani workplaces, purdah influences everything from the organization of physical space to the allocation of work, creating a unique set of challenges for women in medicine.

  • Sartorial Expressions: Varying from full-coverage abayas to simple dupattas, each style reflects the wearer's social status, religious sect, and personal ideology.
  • Norms of Interaction: Emphasizing respectful distance, avoidance of physical contact with the opposite gender, and hushed tones, these norms affect mentoring relationships and professional networking.
  • Gendered Language: Segregation extends to communication styles, with distinct vocabularies and interactional ethics shaping how men and women engage in professional settings.
  • Spatial Segregation: Gender-segregated offices, duty rooms, and even hospital wards reinforce physical and symbolic boundaries, limiting opportunities for collaboration and advancement.
While these dimensions of purdah create barriers, they also inspire resilience and adaptation. Pakistani women doctors have developed innovative strategies to negotiate these challenges, blending tradition with modernity and asserting their professional identity while remaining true to their cultural values. Understanding these strategies is key to fostering more inclusive workplaces.

Towards Inclusive Workplaces: Embracing Complexity and Change

The experiences of Pakistani women doctors offer valuable lessons for creating inclusive workplaces that honor cultural diversity and promote gender equality. By acknowledging the multifaceted nature of purdah and its impact on professional lives, organizations can begin to address systemic inequalities and empower women to thrive. Embracing complexity, challenging assumptions, and fostering open dialogue are essential steps towards building workplaces that celebrate both tradition and progress.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

How does 'purdah' in Pakistan influence the daily lives of women doctors?

In Pakistan, 'purdah' significantly impacts the daily lives of women doctors by shaping their interactions, sartorial choices, and access to physical spaces. It dictates norms of interaction, emphasizing respectful distance and avoidance of physical contact with male colleagues, which affects mentoring and networking. The varying sartorial expressions, from abayas to dupattas, reflect social status and personal ideology. 'Purdah' also leads to spatial segregation, with gender-segregated offices and wards, limiting collaboration and advancement opportunities for women doctors.

2

Beyond clothing, what are some key aspects of 'purdah' affecting women doctors in Pakistani workplaces?

Beyond sartorial considerations, 'purdah' manifests in Pakistani workplaces through norms of interaction, gendered language, and spatial segregation. Norms of interaction emphasize respectful distance and limited physical contact between genders, complicating mentorship and professional networking. Gendered language involves distinct vocabularies and communication styles for men and women. Spatial segregation includes gender-segregated offices and duty rooms, restricting collaboration and advancement for women doctors. These elements create systemic marginalization but also inspire resilience among Pakistani women doctors.

3

How do Pakistani women doctors balance their professional ambitions with cultural expectations related to 'purdah'?

Pakistani women doctors navigate the complexities of 'purdah' by developing innovative strategies that blend tradition with modernity. They assert their professional identity while remaining true to their cultural values. This involves carefully negotiating sartorial expressions, adapting communication styles, and strategically utilizing available spaces to foster collaboration. This balance allows them to overcome barriers imposed by 'purdah' while honoring their cultural heritage.

4

What broader lessons can be learned from the experiences of Pakistani women doctors regarding inclusivity and gender equality in diverse workplaces?

The experiences of Pakistani women doctors offer insights into creating inclusive workplaces that honor cultural diversity and promote gender equality. Acknowledging the multifaceted nature of 'purdah' and its impact on professional lives is crucial. Organizations must address systemic inequalities, challenge assumptions, and foster open dialogue to empower women. Embracing complexity and celebrating both tradition and progress are essential for building equitable workplaces.

5

How does the interpretation of 'purdah' vary across different segments of Pakistani society, and what implications does this have for women doctors?

The interpretation of 'purdah' varies significantly across different social strata, religious affiliations, and regional customs in Pakistan. This variance requires women doctors to navigate an intricate dance, balancing religious convictions with professional expectations. The concept of 'purdah' is deeply contextual, shaped by cultural practices of gender segregation, historical experiences, and religious movements, impacting women's participation in the public sphere. Understanding these nuances is essential for Pakistani women doctors to effectively negotiate workplace dynamics.

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