IWD: ‘Every woman can find her tribe to cheer her on’

‘An inspiring female leader is one who brings the best out of her team, she is fearless, comfortable in her own skin and empowering. She works her magic silently in the background, through hard work, positive role modelling and perseverance. She is kind, caring and empathetic. She is down to earth and connected with her roots.’ 
 
That is according to Dr Bhavya Balasubramanya, speaking to newsGP ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD) about driving change and achieving equality – not only in the workforce but society as a whole.
 
The Darwin-based specialist GP, a self-described ‘educated and empowered woman’, says she has a duty to uplift others as they embrace this year’s IWD theme, ‘March Forward’.
 
She is calling on everyone to be an advocate for gender equality, not only in the realm of health but also rooted in social determinants and social construct.
 
‘I hope every woman finds her tribe to cheer her on, to achieve greater heights, to realise her dreams,’ Dr Balasubramanya said.
 
Dr Balasubramanya says her global upbringing has helped to shape who she is and her work ethic.
 
Having travelled with family and lived in the United States, United Kingdom, India and now Australia, she describes herself as adaptive and inquisitive about culture, language, food and health systems.
 
After completing medical school Dr Balasubramanya trained as a specialist in her hometown of Bangalore. Following a year of internship, she was torn between specialising in surgery to become a rural or paediatric surgeon, or general practice.
 
After landing a spot first in a surgical training program, she gave it up and ‘went with my gut’ to be a GP.
 
‘I have never since looked back and absolutely love being a specialist GP – as the RACGP says, we are “specialists in life”,’ she said.
 
‘The impact we have on families and generations is profound. I cherish the connections we make with patients, their stories and learn from them each and every day.’
 
Dr Balasubramanya enjoying the surroundings, and at the 2024 RACGP NT Fellowship Ceremony.

Currently working at a GP surgery in Darwin on Larrakia Country, Dr Balasubramanya is passionate about rural generalism, skin cancer medicine, preventive health and pregnancy care.
 
And she will be sharing her story at the Northern Territory leg of the RACGP’s International Women’s Day series on Friday 7 March, 6.30 – 9.00 pm, joined by other female GP leaders based in the Territory.
 
Dr Balasubramanya believes there are many things to facilitate a strong future female healthcare workforce.
 
‘A safe and supportive work environment which fosters wellbeing and good mental health,’ she said.
 
‘Paid maternity leave – gaps in career due to a female’s physiology is disadvantageous to career trajectory compared to her male counterparts – how can this be addressed?
 
‘And pay – do female GPs get penalised for providing excellent care for complex patients who require longer consults?’
 
But of ‘utmost importance’ is being valued and respected at the workplace by both patients and colleagues.
 
‘Having a good work–life balance, allowing a woman to balance her multiple roles as a partner, mother, carer, doctor, daughter, friend and teacher,’ she said.
 
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘March Forward’, and RACGP events are taking place across Australia and online from 5–11 March; proudly supported by Major Partners, Gedeon Richter and Bayer.
 
Find out more about the speakers in your state and secure your spot now.
 
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female GPs gender equality International Women’s Day work–life balance