Prepared by Dr. Rajni Verma, Assistant Professor , Department of Radiological Physics, SMS Medical College and Hospitals,India
The Asia-Oceania Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (AFOMP) hosted a special webinar on March 5, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025. The webinar focused on the theme “Second Innings of Women in Medical Physics,” addressing the challenges faced by women medical physicists (WMPs) in restarting their careers after a long sabbatical due to family responsibilities. Cultural norms, familial expectations, and societal pressures often make this transition difficult, presenting a significant concern for many women medical physicists worldwide.
Objective
The webinar aimed to inspire and empower women medical physicists by sharing success stories of professionals who made a significant impact in the field. It also highlighted the role of male mentors in supporting women throughout their careers. The discussion provided valuable insights and practical strategies for women looking to re-enter or advance in the profession after a career break.
Speakers and Moderator
The webinar featured distinguished speakers:
- Prof. Eva Bezak (Australia) – A prominent leader in medical physics, she shared her experiences on the importance of mentorship, policies, realistic expectations, and a balanced approach to career growth.
- Prof. Arun Chougule (India) – A renowned expert who emphasized the need for gender equity in scientific and academic environments. He also advocated for the role of male mentors in supporting women in medical physics, encouraging his male colleagues to be more inclusive and supportive.
- Prof. Jeannie Hsiu Ding Wong (Malaysia) – A respected figure in medical physics, she provided insights into the evolving opportunities for women in the profession. She emphasized maintaining a positive outlook on career interruptions and suggested a gradual, sustainable approach to re-entering the workforce.
The session was dynamically moderated by Dr. Rajni Verma (India), who facilitated engaging discussions and interactive exchanges among speakers and participants.
Highlights
The webinar was well-attended, with 94 participants from across the AFOMP region.
- Theme of “Second Innings”: Discussions revolved around challenges and opportunities in the second phase of a woman’s career, including leadership roles, research, and balancing professional and personal commitments.
- Keynote Presentations: Speakers shared valuable insights from their personal journeys, discussing how they overcame obstacles, broke barriers, and paved the way for future generations of women in medical physics.
- Interactive Discussion: The session included an interactive Q&A, where participants engaged with speakers, voiced their concerns, shared experiences, and sought professional advice.
- AFOMP IWD 2025 Poster: To commemorate International Women’s Day 2025, AFOMP released a dedicated poster honoring women medical physicists across the region.
Outcomes
- The event underscored the importance of continuous professional development and networking for women in medical physics.
- Discussions highlighted the need to increase the visibility of women in leadership positions and emphasized the role of mentorship in career advancement.
Conclusion
The AFOMP Women’s Special Webinar on March 5, 2025, was a significant and impactful event that actively engaged the medical physics community. It reinforced the message that women play a crucial role in shaping the future of medical physics and that their contributions should be recognized, supported, and celebrated throughout every stage of their careers.