By Chioma James
Health experts have raised concerns that gender inequality and harmful social norms are worsening the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), warning that the neglect of women’s health could undermine efforts to control drug-resistant infections.
Speaking during a high-level dialogue on the intersection of gender and AMR, experts noted that women often play the unrecognized role of caregivers in many societies, prioritizing the health needs of their family members while neglecting their own wellbeing.
One of the speakers explained that in many hospitals in India, women frequently accompany sick relatives as caregivers but rarely seek medical attention for themselves. She also highlighted that in families where healthcare expenses must be paid out of pocket, male family members are often prioritized for treatment over women.
According to her, these realities reflect deep-rooted gender inequalities that influence access to healthcare and ultimately contribute to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
Participants at the dialogue unanimously agreed that a complex mix of biological, social, cultural and economic factors linked to gender-based injustices significantly affect infection prevention and control efforts.
They emphasized that harmful gender norms and stereotypes have normalized the neglect of girls’ and women’s wellbeing, making them more vulnerable to infections and increasing the risk of antimicrobial resistance.
The experts stressed that addressing AMR effectively requires a gender-responsive approach that ensures women are heard, diagnosed early, and provided with timely treatment while also supporting adherence to medication.
They further called for policies that reflect the realities of women’s lives, noting that empowering women and improving their access to healthcare would strengthen global efforts to curb drug-resistant infections.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. When this happens, commonly used treatments such as antibiotics become ineffective, making infections harder or even impossible to treat.
The global health body explained that this can lead to increased disease spread, severe illness, disability and death.
WHO also notes that while antimicrobial resistance is a natural process caused by genetic changes in pathogens over time, its emergence and rapid spread are largely driven by human activities, particularly the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines in humans, animals and plants.
Experts therefore urged governments, healthcare institutions and communities to adopt inclusive strategies that recognize the gender dimensions of health and strengthen infection prevention efforts.
They concluded that listening to women and addressing structural inequalities would be critical to winning the fight against antimicrobial resistance and protecting global health.