Health experts are sounding the alarm on the alarming connection between gender inequality, stigma, and the global rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They emphasize that tackling drug-resistant infections requires a comprehensive approach that considers the underlying social and gender dynamics contributing to this crisis.
Soumya Swaminathan, former Deputy Director-General and Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights the critical need to address gender-based violence in controlling AMR.
“Many women face intimate partner violence or sexual violence, which significantly increases their risk of infections, including sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, and pelvic inflammatory disease,” she stated.
The combination of these vulnerabilities, coupled with societal and economic barriers, often prevents women from seeking timely and adequate medical care, thus exacerbating the issue of antimicrobial resistance.
Women are at heightened risk of domestic or sexual violence, which can not only lead to various infections but also impacts their access to healthcare.
“Because of their position within households and communities, women are less likely to seek care quickly, which can result in drug-resistant infections,” Swaminathan added.
Incomplete antibiotic treatment and unsafe abortion practices due to unintended pregnancies further compound the risk of AMR.
The stigma surrounding diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV represents another significant challenge in the fight against AMR. Bhakti Chavan, a survivor of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis and a member of WHO’s AMR survivors task force, noted.
“In many communities, a woman diagnosed with TB or HIV is judged as someone who has brought shame to the family.”
This societal pressure often causes women to delay testing, take medication secretly, or discontinue treatment prematurely, which can lead to further resistance.
Moreover, power imbalances within households and health systems create barriers to effective AMR control. Dr. Esmita Charani, Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town, explains that women frequently prioritize the health of their family members over their own, making them less likely to advocate for their health needs.
“In situations where healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket, male family members are often prioritized over women,” she said.
This dynamic is reinforced when women go to hospitals primarily as caregivers for relatives, leaving their own health concerns unaddressed.
Despite these challenges, health advocates are optimistic about the role women can play in combating irrational antibiotic use. Dr. Mayssam Akroush, founding president of the Pan Arab Women Physicians Association, pointed out that women’s roles as mothers, caregivers, teachers, and health professionals uniquely position them to influence responsible antibiotic use within their communities.
As the world grapples with the escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance, it is clear that a multifaceted approach that addresses both health and social determinants, particularly those affecting women, is essential for an effective response.
By recognizing and mitigating the factors contributing to gender inequality in healthcare, the global community can strengthen efforts to combat this pressing public health issue.
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