Tracie Muraya calls for gender parity when it comes to AMR responses. Gender inequalities and gender-based injustices are among the biggest barriers for women, girls and persons in all their gender diversities that block equitable access to existing health and social welfare services. She also prioritised older persons, and persons with disabilities, when co-designing and implementing community-led AMR responses.
In addition to doing household work, women and girls are primary carers in many communities, even when they themselves might be sick said Tracie. Also, biologically (and for a range of other reasons), we tend to be more at risk of urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections, and struggle for sexual and reproductive health services. So, women are more likely to be receiving antibiotics.
In patriarchal societies, women often do not have any say in household finances. So, if they have an infection, they are less likely to access much-needed treatment, said Tracie.
Tracie shared that it is not unusual to find that a woman is washing dishes by a river or local water body and children are playing there. They may be using the same water for domestic use or even for drinking purposes. Livestock, like cattle or others, may also be using the same water source. So, exposure to infections and AMR is different for them.
Importantly, Tracie underlines that an overwhelming majority of health workforce (especially frontline healthcare workers and nurses) are women.
Do not forget indigenous peoples, migrants and refugees
Katherine Urbaez reminds us that we must tailor AMR responses for indigenous communities and peoples, migrants and refugees including those in conflict settings. She points out the limited access to healthcare services when it comes to these population groups.
Katherine calls for aligning AMR responses with those that are addressing social, economic, cultural and other forms of inequalities. Addressing social determinants that are related to AMR is key, she said.
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