Public health experts are urging governments to adopt gender-responsive policies in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), highlighting that women face unique infection risks often overlooked in current strategies.
The call came during the March AMR Dialogue session, “AMR under the gender lens”, organised by the Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA) ahead of International Women’s Day.
Experts said integrating gender considerations into national AMR strategies is essential for improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. They noted that women are disproportionately affected by factors such as domestic and sexual violence, limited access to reproductive healthcare, unsafe abortions, and social norms that influence how antibiotics are used or accessed.
The chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and former WHO chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan, emphasized that these risks are often overlooked in AMR programs.
“Delayed healthcare seeking, stigma, and financial dependence can worsen infections and increase the need for stronger antibiotics”, she said.
Founding President of the Pan Arab Women Physicians Association, Maisam Akroush, added that women also play a critical role in curbing AMR, as they often influence healthcare decisions within households.
Targeted awareness campaigns could help improve responsible antibiotic use and adherence to treatments.
Participants recommended that governments include gender analysis in AMR strategies, expand access to sexual and reproductive health services, and link programs addressing gender-based violence to infection prevention and treatment.
AMR, which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites stop responding to medicines, is a growing global health threat. In 2019, it was directly responsible for 1.27 million deaths and contributed to nearly 5 million more worldwide.
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