Workshop
on
Nursing Management of Cardio-thoracic and Vascular
Surgeries from
April 2-9, 2003
The overall
purpose of the workshop is to update and improve
upon the knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners
of various levels concerning bio-technical advancement
and challenges in the area of cardio-thoracic and
vascular surgeries.
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| Policy
& Position Statement > Gender Management System
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Gender Management System
In
Workplaces
The
Trained Nurses’ Association of India endorses the general principles
and broad policy of the Government of India on gender and health,
recognising the differences that exist in the health care needs
of women and men in their work place.
Despite
the well conceived movement of women in development, there has
not been much change in the actual status of women, similarly,
nursing being predominantly a women’s occupation, is a victim
of gender bias and not even considered or accorded key positions
in the health system and have no say whatsoever in the policy
and decision making bodies affecting their professional and
personal lives.
Rules
and regulations that govern Nurses, mainly respond to male employee
pattern despite the fact that nursing personnel in majority
are female. Issues that have impact on nursing personnel in
general and as women in particular on their performance and
health
General
Issues: Non-strategic placement
of Nursing personnel in the health-care system and no specific
budgetary allocation for Nursing and nursing education, resulting
in lopsided Nursing manpower development, over stretching nursing
manpower, and consequent increase in workload.
- Dearth
of Continuing Educational facilities and promotional avenues,
restricting career mobility and professional development
causing heart burn and unrest among Nurses.
- Despite
equitable preparation and job responsibility with parallel
professionals, Nurses’ remuneration and status remains inequitable
and is much lower.
- Poor
working conditions in a majority of instances, besides preventing
Nurses from working efficiently, invariably exposes them
to occupational health hazards, which are well known and
documented.
- Inappropriate
compensation for extra hours of work, inconvenient shifts,
odd hours of duty, and working on public holidays, resulting
in fatigue, and disgruntlement.
Specific
Issues: As Women
- Over
exposure to physical and chemical agent may effect women’s
reproductive functions and motherhood.
- Malnutrition
related health problems, such as anaemia, digestive disorders,
infection etc. attributable to cultural norms like fasting,
women to eat after everyone else, inconvenient meals/routine
etc.
- Work
load and responsibility at home in addition to employment
workload, causing physical, emotional, and mental stress
and social stress.
- Sexual
harassment from employer, colleague, client and public at
large, causing anger, fear, disgust shame and helplessness.
Specific
Issues as Men
- Equal
opportunity for Nursing education at par with female Nurses.
- Lack
of fatherhood facilities.
The
Trained Nurses’ Association of India as professional body believes
that both men and women in health sector should have equal rights
and opportunities for education and employment. Nurses are equally
respected and valued as able partners at all levels of health
care system, so that they can work in collaboration and partnership
to their optimum potential.
Therefore,
Association supports:
- Evolvement
of a culturally appropriate Gender and health programme
which will comprehensively and equitably address the gender
difference aimed at improving the status of men and women
Nurses in their work places.
- Irrespective
of sex differences, the Gender Management system should
provide for employee’s development on the job and for an
appropriate placement at par with parallel professionals.
- Gender
sensitivity and gender integration should form integral
part of all policies, programmes and activities in health
sector.
- Nurses
should have balanced and appropriate representation of their
colleague (men and women) on the policy and decision-making
bodies that concern the Nurses.
- Nurses
as women should have flexible working hours, security provision
for long leave of absence and resumption of duty after gap
at certain levels, provision for Baby Friendly Work environment.
Paternity leave provision for male Nurses etc.
There
should be an appropriate compensation for odd, inconvenient,
extra hours of work and occupational hazards confronted.
- Nursing
affairs should be managed by Nurses with necessary support
to run nursing services effectively and efficiently.
- Developing
joint programmes for employees and management on Gender
System management and strategic involvement of media for
promoting Gender Management System.
- Establishment
of a Cell / Committee with balanced representation of Nurses
for dealing with harassment issues in work place.
- Nurses
in their work places advocate for Gender related issues
affecting health e.g. women literacy, women’s awareness
about health and making choices for quality life.
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© 2002, Trained Nurses' Association of India (TNAI), All
Rights Reserved.