AMR Fight Must Tackle Gender Inequality and Violence, Experts Warn
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
The global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may fail unless governments confront gender inequality and gender-based violence that shape how women access healthcare and medicines.
Experts at the AMR Dialogues say misuse and overuse of antibiotics in human health, livestock, agriculture and the environment continue to accelerate drug-resistant infections.
But beyond medical misuse, social and gender realities are quietly fuelling the crisis.
Former Deputy Director-General and Chief Scientist of the World Health Organisation, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, stressed that violence against women is a critical but often overlooked driver of antimicrobial resistance.
She explained that women exposed to domestic or sexual violence are more likely to develop infections such as sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Yet many delay seeking medical care because of fear, stigma or limited autonomy within their households.
According to her, delayed treatment, incomplete antibiotic courses or wrong dosages can increase the risk of drug-resistant infections.
Stigma also plays a significant role.
Bhakti Chavan, a survivor of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis and member of the WHO AMR Survivors Task Force, said women with diseases like TB or HIV often hide their illness because of societal judgment.
She noted that many women stop treatment early or avoid clinics entirely to prevent family members or neighbours from discovering their condition, a practice that worsens drug resistance.
Health researchers also highlighted how power dynamics and social norms affect women’s access to healthcare.
Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town, Dr Esmita Charani, said women often prioritise the health of other family members over their own and have limited power to negotiate care within health systems.
Similarly, Dr Deepshikha Bhateja of the Indian School of Business explained that cultural norms around menstruation, caregiving roles, pregnancy and financial control frequently restrict women’s access to clean water, sanitation, education and healthcare, all factors that influence infection rates and antibiotic use.
Experts therefore called for an intersectional approach that considers gender, culture, economic status and social power when designing policies to combat AMR.
Dr Salman Khan, a youth engagement consultant on AMR, described antimicrobial resistance as not just a scientific problem but a deeply social one shaped by inequality and power.
Meanwhile, Dr Mayssam Akroush, founding president of the Pan Arab Women Physicians Association, emphasised that women could play a decisive role in preventing irrational antibiotic use.
She said women, as mothers, caregivers, educators and healthcare professionals, are often key decision-makers on when antibiotics are used within families and communities.
Stakeholders at the dialogue also urged governments to integrate gender considerations into national AMR strategies, including indicators addressing gender-based violence and improved antibiotic stewardship.
Chairperson of the Global AMR Media Alliance, Shobha Shukla, warned that drug-resistant tuberculosis remains a major threat, noting that global cases remain alarmingly high decades after they were first documented.
She stressed that ending TB by 2030 would be impossible without tackling drug resistance caused by misuse, underuse and overuse of TB medicines.
Participants concluded that addressing gender inequalities is essential to slowing antimicrobial resistance and ensuring effective healthcare for all.
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