The Doctor of Firsts
Dr. Kadambini Ganguly
Even in the 21st century, women's health continues to be overlooked in many aspects of society. The unique health needs and challenges faced by women are often sidelined or minimized, perpetuating disparities in healthcare access, research, and treatment. Issues such as reproductive health, maternal mortality, and gender-based violence are often sidelined or stigmatized, leading to inadequate support and resources for women's health. Addressing these disparities requires a holistic approach that acknowledges and prioritizes women's health as a fundamental human right. It necessitates breaking down barriers to access, challenging stigma and discrimination, and promoting comprehensive and gender-sensitive healthcare policies and programs. And when it comes to breaking barriers, few did a better job than Dr. Kadambini Ganguly, who defied societal norms and overcame numerous obstacles to become one of the first female physicians in South Asia.
Kadambini Ganguly, a name synonymous with courage, determination, and social reform, stands as an exemplar of women's empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity. She was raised in a progressive Bengali community of the upper caste at a time when British colonial policies reinforced existing gender inequalities, perpetuating the subjugation of Bengali women. Her early life was characterized by a thirst for knowledge and a fierce desire to break free from the confines of traditional gender roles. Encouraged by her parents, she pursued education against formidable odds, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethune College in Calcutta in 1883. However, her aspirations extended beyond academic pursuits; Kadambini harbored a lifelong ambition to become a physician—a dream considered unthinkable for women in colonial India.
Undeterred by societal prejudices and institutional barriers, Kadambini applied to medical schools in England, where women were allowed to study medicine. In 1883, she made history by becoming one of the first two Indian women to be admitted to the Calcutta Medical College, breaking new ground for women's education and professional advancement in India. Despite facing hostility and discrimination from male peers and faculty members, Kadambini persevered and graduated with honors in 1886, becoming the first Indian-educated female physician. Her husband and father to her eight children, Dwarakanath Ganguly, was extremely supportive of her efforts and encouraged her to train in Edinburgh, Scotland after she completed her training. In 1893, Ganguly enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, where she obtained an LRCP qualification, allowing her to practice medicine.
It is worth remembering that in 1886, Anandibai Joshi, another incredible Indian woman who shattered the glass ceiling, graduated from Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, with an MD, at 19 years of age. However, she contracted tuberculosis and passed away before the age of 22, never having the chance to pursue a prolonged career in practicing medicine.
Upon Kadambini’s return to India with three additional certifications, she started working in Lady Dufferin Hospital in Calcutta, and then moved on to open her own private practice, specializing in gynecology and pediatrics. Kadambini's entry into the medical profession was a watershed moment for women's rights and healthcare in colonial India. As a pioneering physician, she dedicated her career to improving the health and well-being of women and children, particularly those from marginalized communities. She advocated for better access to healthcare, sanitation, and maternal care, addressing pressing issues such as infant mortality, malnutrition, and preventable diseases.
Florence Nightingale sent a letter to her friend in Britain, inquiring about Kadambini. She wrote, “Do you know or could tell me anything about Mrs Ganguly, or give me any advice? She has already passed what is called the first licentiate in medicine and surgery examinations and is to go up for the final examination in March next. This young lady, Mrs. Ganguly, married after she made up her mind to become a doctor and has had one, if not two children since. But she was absent only thirteen days for her lying-in and did not miss, I believe, a single lecture!”
Challenging societal conventions proved to be a daunting task. Kadambini Ganguly's profession required her to attend to patients during nighttime, drawing criticism from various quarters. A widely-read vernacular newspaper (Bangabasi) went as far as to point fingers at her reputation. However, undeterred by such slander, she and her husband embarked on a legal battle. They succeeded in securing compensation and had the editor imprisoned for six months, setting a precedent for standing up against defamation and discrimination.
Beyond her medical practice, Kadambini was actively involved in social reform and women's empowerment initiatives. She played a prominent role in the women's suffrage movement, campaigning for women's right to vote and participate in political decision-making. She also championed causes such as female education, widow remarriage, and the abolition of child marriage, challenging entrenched social norms and customs that oppressed women and restricted their autonomy. She was one of the seven women who constituted the inaugural all-female delegation of the 1889 Indian National Congress. In 1906, she orchestrated a Women’s Conference (mahila sammelan in Hindi) in Calcutta, specifically targeting the wives of Congress members. Her impassioned address, detailing her own struggles, persuaded the authorities of Calcutta Medical College to revise their policy, ultimately leading to the admission of female students.
She used her platform and influence to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and address systemic injustices that perpetuated poverty, inequality, and exploitation. Dr. Ganguly emerged as a prominent figure in advocating for better working conditions for female coal miners in Orissa, located in Eastern India, and along with poet Kamini Roy, she worked for a government committee to pursue this cause until a year before her death. Additionally, she lent her support to the Satyagraha movement of Indian laborers in South Africa, actively raising funds to aid their cause.
In addition to her activism and advocacy work, Kadambini was a prolific writer and public speaker, using her pen and voice to inspire change and raise awareness about pressing social issues. She authored numerous articles, essays, and speeches on topics ranging from women's rights and healthcare reform to nationalism and colonialism, leaving behind a rich legacy of intellectual and literary contributions.
It seems almost poetic that she worked until the last hours of her life. On October 3, 1923, following a surgical procedure on a young boy, Ganguly returned home fatigued, only to pass away while resting. She was 63 years old.
Kadambini Devi received strong support from her family and her husband, in an era when India was still under the colonial rule, and patriarchal norms dictated women’s lives, limiting their education, mobility, and autonomy. Being the mother of eight children, she also had to dedicate a significant amount of time to managing her household responsibilities. According to American historian David Kopf, Kadambini Ganguly was regarded as the most accomplished and liberated Brahmo woman of her era. Her relationship with her husband, Dwarkanath Ganguly, was exceptional as it was based on mutual love, sensitivity, and intelligence. Kopf contends that Ganguly stood out even among emancipated women in Bengali society at the time. Her ability to transcend her circumstances and fulfill her potential as a human being made her highly esteemed among Sadharan Brahmos, who were ideologically committed to the liberation of women in Bengal.
Dr Kadambini Ganguly's life and legacy continue to resonate in the modern era, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women and social reformers around the world. Her pioneering spirit, unwavering courage, and commitment to justice and equality serve as a reminder of the transformative power of individual action and collective struggle in the fight for a more just and equitable society. As one of the first female physicians in South Asia, she defied gender norms and societal expectations to pursue her dreams and make a lasting impact on healthcare and women's rights. Her legacy serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women and the enduring power of activism and advocacy in the pursuit of social justice and equality.
References:
Kadambini Ganguly. (2021, November 28). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadambini_Ganguly
Kadambini Ganguly, a voice for women in India. (n.d.). Www.linkedin.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kadambini-ganguly-voice-women-india-dana-rubin/
Kadambini Ganguly. (2023, February 6). The University of Edinburgh. https://www.ed.ac.uk/global/uncovered/1860-1900/kadambini-ganguly
