The combination of the words “female,” “surgeon,” and “urologist” can still evoke surprise in the world today, no matter in Western or Eastern countries, developing or developed area. This shock varies only in degree.

In ancient China, some female traditional medicine doctors practiced mainly in obstetrics and gynecology–related specialties. In 1899, the first female modern physician, Zhang Zhujun, received certificate and degree of modern medical education. Since then, the opportunities for Chinese women to receive medical education have gradually increased.

When the country entered a period of stable development, gender equality became one of the main principles of the new regime, its significance encapsulated in the iconic catchphrase, “Women hold up half the world.” However, due to the nature of the profession of urology and social prejudices, female urologists have been rare for a long time. According to a survey on female surgical careers released by the Chinese Medical Doctor Association in 2019, most female surgeons are specialized in obstetrics, gynecology, the thyroid and breast surgery. Only a small proportion of urologists are female. In 2019, a forum of Chinese female urologists was held in Hangzhou under the leadership of the Chinese Urological Association.

Since I started practicing medicine in 1995, I have been facing the challenge that most female surgeons will encounter: how to stand out in an environment where the number of male surgeons is overwhelming. It is well known that in most theoretical and practical courses in medical school, women always receive higher scores. However, once in the hospital, women often have to work harder to be treated equally. The other challenge I encountered was how to balance the identities of wife, mother, and urologist. Given the huge number of patients and the relative shortage of medical resources in China, work consumed most of my time. I am very grateful for my husband and son’s support for my career, including rarely going home and changing resident cities due to work changes. But I am aware that this is not an understanding that every female urologist could achieve. Each female urologist will face her own unique, difficult challenges.

I have studied at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. I have also been to Germany, Serbia, India, and Pakistan several times to promote pediatric urological minimally invasive surgery. I noticed the difference in the status of female urologists in different cultures and societies. At a hospital in Karachi, a female nurse presented me with a bouquet of flowers after a live surgery. In tears, she told me that it was the first time she had seen so many male surgeons impressed by the skills of a female surgeon. Her words made me feel both inspired and a little uneasy. There is still a long way to go for women urologists to achieve the status that is proportionate with their brilliance and hard work. Depending on the level of development and the cultural traditions of the country, the pressure on each individual is different. I look forward to a brighter future where everyone is free to choose their own career path and be treated equally regardless of gender.