Webinar Recap: Gendered Vulnerabilities to Infectious Disease – Understanding the Impact on Women and Girls
- Rodrigo Scotini
- May 5
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
On 10 April 2025, the Infectious Disease Alliance (IDA) hosted the inaugural webinar of its Gender Equality Committee, titled “Gendered Vulnerabilities to Infectious Disease: Understanding the Impact on Women and Girls.” The event brought together global experts, researchers, and policymakers to examine the intersection of gender and infectious disease, and to discuss bold, innovative solutions to advance global health equity.
Understanding the Urgency - Why Gender Matters in Infectious Disease
Gender is a critical yet often overlooked determinant of health. Women and girls face disproportionate risks from infectious diseases, shaped by a complex web of biological, social, and economic factors. These vulnerabilities frequently result in limited access to prevention, delayed or denied treatment, and inadequate recovery support, fuelling persistent inequalities in health outcomes.
Despite this, gender considerations remain underrepresented in global health responses. Policies and programmes often follow a one-size-fits-all approach, failing to reflect the lived experiences and specific needs of women and girls. Elevating gender-responsive solutions is not just a matter of equity, it is essential to building resilient and effective health systems worldwide.
Featured Speakers
The webinar featured keynote presentations from:
Dr. Jessica Ogden (ICRW) – “Vulnerability as Strength: Embracing this Moment for the Global Public’s Health”
Kinza Hasan (Women Deliver) – “Gender-Responsive Universal Health Coverage: Addressing Gender Inequality and the Disease Burden”
Panel Discussion
Following the two key speakers, a panel discussion featured additional experts. Panelists included:
Dr. Irene Aninye - Chief Science Officer, Society for Women’s Health Research
Debanjana Choudhuri - Executive Director, Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights
Dr. Katy Davis - Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Dr. Michelle Remme - Manager, Thematic Cluster for Human Rights, Gender and Health Equity, The Global Fund
The panel discussion, moderated by IDA committee manager Ella Jongebreur, involved questions on how gender equality can be promoted in different sectors and at all levels of public health policy and programs.
Engagement and Next Steps
The session concluded with a live Q&A, offering attendees an opportunity to engage directly with the speakers. Key takeaways and next steps were shared, along with a Call to Action urging renewed investment in gender equality in health as a foundation for global health security.
The IDA extends its sincere thanks to all speakers, panellists, and participants for their contributions to this timely and vital discussion. Insights shared during the event will inform IDA’s ongoing policy strategy.
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