What is the ruling on intermingling with women during practical training in medical school and viewing their 'awrah (private parts)? What is the ruling on working as an obstetrician and gynecologist? And what is the ruling on intermingling with women in general at work, and is it obligatory to abandon such work?

Mixing of men and women is forbidden unless there is a necessity or a need that approximates it. Looking at their awrah (private parts) is even more strictly forbidden, and it is not justified by education or anything else. It is not permissible for a doctor to see the awrah of women except out of a necessity that cannot be averted except by doing so. It is forbidden to look at the awrah except when necessary, such as for a doctor, while lowering the gaze as much as possible. As for a man working in gynecology and obstetrics, it is fraught with many Sharia (definition) prohibitions and is not permissible except out of necessity or need, while adhering to Sharia guidelines. Mixing [of sexes] is forbidden by Sharia, and it is one of the causes of the prevalence of indecencies and evils, the descent of punishments, the corruption of public and private affairs, and the increase of fornication and plagues.