On International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8 each year to honour women’s achievements, acknowledge their societal contributions, promote gender equality, and raise awareness about issues like reproductive rights, violence, and abuse against women, it is crucial to recognise that women globally encounter specific hurdles such as gender bias, discrimination, and underrepresentation in various sectors.

They often must work harder to prove themselves and overcome stereotypes. Nonetheless, many women have succeeded in breaking barriers and excelling in male-dominated fields.

Take Dr Sylvie Inyange, for example, who graduated from the University of Rwanda (UR) in November last year and went on to become the second, and youngest, female neurosurgeon in Rwanda.

Even more impressive was that Inyange completed her entire neurosurgical training in Rwanda, and was the only woman in her cohort.

Neurosurgery is one of the most complicated medical fields. It takes approximately 10 to 15 years of training and is a very challenging specialty, involving many on-call duties and a high degree of risk.

This medical specialty involves the surgical treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. This can include procedures to treat conditions such as brain tumours, spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, and movement disorders.

Today, 33-year-old Inyange is completely immersed in her work, working around the clock to save lives in her first year of professional practice.

Line of work

When we met up with Inyange at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) where she works, it was evident that every second of her time counts.

She was drawn to this specialty by the desire to make a difference in a field with few professionals. Inyange studied her initial six years of secondary education at the Huye-based Ecole Notre Dame de La Providence de Karubanda (ENDPK,) before she joined the University of Rwanda (UR) to pursue a six-year course in medicine.

Additionally, she did another six years of Master’s studies in medicine, with a focus on neurosurgery at UR’s College of Medicine and Pharmacy, and graduated on November 17, 2023, to officially start practice, joining Dr Claire Karekezi, who at the time was the only female Rwandan neurosurgeon.

Looking back, it was not the course she wanted to pursue—having had her eyes on civil engineering, given her proficiency in mathematics and other sciences.

"Initially, I nurtured a childhood aspiration of becoming a doctor. Yet, during my secondary school years, I found myself torn between that dream and the allure of civil engineering, driven by my prowess in mathematics, which exceeded my performance in other sciences,” Inyange told The New Times.

Despite this internal conflict, she remained committed to the ambition of becoming a medical doctor and joined the medical school.

"It was during my fourth year that my interest in neurosurgery was sparked. Inspired by one of my senior colleagues, I found the field captivating, enjoyable, and profoundly impactful, leading me to embark on the path of becoming a neurosurgeon,” she adds.

A tough course for a few

Inyange understands that neurosurgery is indeed a specialised field that attracts relatively fewer individuals compared to other medical specialties. However, her motivation to pursue neurosurgery stemmed from the need to make a difference.

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"The opportunity to make a significant and immediate impact on patients’ lives; the field offers the chance to perform life-saving surgeries, alleviate debilitating symptoms, and restore function and quality of life to individuals facing neurological disorders and injuries,” she said.

Inyange’s passion for understanding neurosurgery, a complex field with interesting and difficult areas, in her own words, was relentless, even when it was considered a field for men.

"I was acutely aware of the stereotypes and biases that exist within the field, with some arguing that it is primarily an area for men. However, rather than seeing these challenges as insurmountable barriers, I choose to view them as opportunities for growth and empowerment,” Inyange observed.

She thought to herself "If they could do it why not me?”, and since then, her passion for neurosurgery and unwavering determination to pursue her dreams have been the driving force behind her decision to defy societal norms and pursue a career in this male-dominated field.

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"I refuse to let gender stereotypes dictate my choices and limit my potential. I firmly believe that competence knows no gender. I have worked tirelessly to develop my skills and acquire knowledge,” she asserted.

As a junior neurosurgeon, she aspires to make a difference in her country by expanding access to neurosurgical care, nurturing future generations of neurosurgeons, and prioritising patient-centred care.

On a day-to-day basis, she deals with complicated brain or nervous system-related cases, some of which are a result of stroke, which is becoming a common threat to life these days.

Inyange says stroke cases are mostly caused by malformations, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and heart disease, in most patients.

In some rare cases, pregnancy and the postpartum period, drug use, oral contraceptives, and hypercoagulable status can cause stroke, which in recent years has become a significant public health concern in Rwanda.

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Balancing work and life

Married with one child, Inyange tries to juggle her personal life and work, which requires careful planning, effective communication, setting boundaries, and seeking support.

"While it’s not always easy, finding harmony between these different aspects of my life brings me fulfilment and joy,” she said when asked how she balances the theatre with other duties and responsibilities.

Her typical day can be quite demanding and varied, involving a combination of patient care, surgical procedures, and research activities.

She wakes up at 6:30 am to begin her daily routine, and by 8 am she is at the hospital doing morning rounds to check on patients who underwent surgery or emergencies.

By 8:30 am, she starts outpatient consultations and when they are done, she will often enter the theatre for surgery if it is scheduled.

Her day ends at 7 pm and she heads home to take care of family needs, as well as other personal activities, including reading, and spending quality time with her family and loved ones before wrapping up the day to head to bed at 11 pm.

Regardless of the tight schedule, she tries to find time to engage in personal activities and hobbies to unwind and recharge for the next day.

While her schedule provides a general overview, each day in the hospital can present unique challenges and opportunities, requiring flexibility and adaptability to meet the diverse needs of patients.

‘Girls, go for it’

Inyange encourages young girls with a passion for sciences to consider taking up neurosurgery, regardless of the challenges that come with it.

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"You are embarking on a remarkable journey filled with challenges and triumphs, and I am thrilled to see your passion for pursuing a career in neurosurgery,” Inyange tells young girls and women looking to follow in her footsteps.

"On this path, believe in yourself. Remember that you are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. Believe in your abilities, talents, and potential to make a difference in the field of neurosurgery,” she advises.

Inyange says young girls and women are capable of overcoming these challenges and being the difference the country’s healthcare is looking for.

She said neurosurgery is a demanding and rigorous field, however, challenges should not deter their ambition and, they should embrace trials as opportunities for growth, learning, and personal development.

"The field of neurosurgery is constantly evolving, so commit yourself to lifelong learning and professional development. Stay curious, ask questions, and seek out new opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.

"Be resilient: There will be moments of setbacks and obstacles along the way, but don’t let them discourage you. Cultivate resilience, perseverance, and determination to overcome challenges and keep moving forward towards your goals,” she added.

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Above all, she encourages school-going girls to never lose sight of their dreams and aspirations.

"You have the power to make a profound impact in the field of neurosurgery and beyond. Stay focused, stay determined, and never stop reaching for the stars,” Inyange said.