According to the report of an eminent media house, nearly 100 female trainee clerks of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) were forcefully made to strip to undergo so-called mandatory gynaecological finger test.
In the reports it was also added that the entire process appeared as a shock to the women when they reached at the Surat Municipal Institute of Medical Education and Research for the test. They were divided into groups of ten and were made to stand in a room, the door was not properly shut and the only thing that prevented the inside view was a curtain.
After the completion of employee's three-year-probation period, the fitness test is allegedly a compulsory process which is to be carried out. The process, however, involves getting the unethical and controversial finger test which creates obvious problems. Several traumatised woman approached the SMC Employees Union after being subjected to such violation of their bodies.
The SMCEU has reportedly filed a complaint with the municipal commissioners and AA Shaikh, General Secretary of the Employees Union has demanded that such tests which violate and harass a person needs to get banned promptly.
Ashwin Vachhani, SMIMER gynaecology department head has made a statement and said such tests were necessary to conduct on women so as to determine their physical well-being as per the directions. She added, she is not aware if a similar protocol is carried out for men as well but for women, the only way to figure out specific illnesses is through these physical tests.
Unmarried women were asked personal questions like if they've ever been pregnant or not, said the report. Some even claimed that the medical authorities were rude for no reason.
It is hard to believe that even in the year 2020, such atrocious practices are conducted and in the name of medicine, women are tormented.