CAMO-Net Contributes to WHO Report Addressing Gender Inequalities in Antimicrobial Resistance
The Centres for Antimicrobial Optimisation Network (CAMO-Net) has made a significant contribution to the newly released World Health Organization (WHO) report, Addressing Gender Inequality in Antimicrobial Resistance. This landmark report emphasises the urgent need for global action to tackle the gender disparities that exacerbate the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. It outlines clear strategies to address these inequalities, such as promoting gender-sensitive policies in health systems and improving access to essential antimicrobials.
Evidence for AMR Equality
Associate Professor Esmita Charani, co-lead of CAMO-Net South Africa and researcher at the University of Cape Town, played a pivotal role in informing this report. Her research highlights the importance of addressing gender inequalities in AMR, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the impact of resistance is often felt most acutely. Associate Professor Charani’s work offers critical insights into the social and economic barriers that influence how AMR manifests across genders and calls for greater inclusion of gender-sensitive policies in AMR interventions.
Associate Professor Charani said, “It is a step in the right direction to see this comprehensive sweep of existing evidence on how gender inequalities impact spread and impact of antimicrobial resistance in different contexts. I am very pleased to have contributed to this report and for the report to recognise our existing work and research in this topic, particularly the need to adopt an intersectional approach to studying gender and AMR. Gender is not a silo and interacts with other social constructs to determine access to resources and health outcomes. Of note, this report is a milestone in our research roadmap for optimising antibiotic use in human populations that we developed with the Wellcome Trust and speaks to our ongoing research on this topic funded by the Wellcome Trust and WHO TDR.”
Advocacy in AMR Research
Professor Mirfin Mpundu, a member of the CAMO-Net Scientific Advisory Board and the Co-Founder of ReAct Africa, also contributed to the WHO report. As a long-time advocate for AMR awareness and policy changes in resource-limited settings, Professor Mpundu’s work focused on ensuring equitable access to antimicrobials and highlighting how structural inequalities deepen the AMR crisis. His advocacy emphasises the need for global collaboration and tailored solutions for vulnerable populations.
“This report underscores the importance of addressing both the scientific and structural factors that perpetuate AMR. By recognising the role of gender inequalities, we can begin to build more resilient health systems that are capable of combating AMR on a global scale,” said Prof Mpundu.
Strategies for Addressing Gender Inequalities in AMR
The WHO report outlines several key strategies for addressing the gender-related factors influencing AMR, including:
- Strengthening health systems to be more inclusive and gender-sensitive
- Ensuring equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable antimicrobials
- Promoting research that examines how social determinants, including gender, shape AMR outcomes
- Developing policies that address both the technical and structural challenges related to AMR
Looking Ahead: A Collaborative Future for AMR Research
The release of this WHO report highlights the growing recognition of the role gender inequalities play in the global AMR crisis. CAMO-Net’s involvement, through contributions from Esmita Charani and Prof Mirfin Mpundu, reaffirms the network’s commitment to addressing the broader social determinants of health that influence AMR. By promoting gender-sensitive interventions and strengthening global partnerships, there is hope that more inclusive and effective solutions will emerge.
For more information on CAMO-Net and its ongoing efforts to address AMR, please visit camonet.org.
