Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to work in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology, which involves the exposure of 'awrah (intimate parts), where the instructor is a man, and what this entails in terms of exposure to temptation? And how can women be treated if there are no female specialist doctors?

The Islamic Sharia came to achieve benefits and ward off harm. A woman's education in medicine can be a communal obligation (fard kifaya) and may even become an individual obligation if the woman learns gynecology and related treatments. If a female teacher is unavailable, it is permissible for non-mahram men to teach women medicine out of necessity, based on the Almighty's saying: "And He has detailed for you what He has forbidden you, except what you are compelled to." Therefore, if society is in need of female doctors specialized in women's diseases, it is obligatory to provide them. A non-mahram male doctor teaching women medicine is a lesser harm than him examining female patients.