Highlighting Women’s Resilience and Challenges in Leprosy-Affected Areas

Celebrating Resilience: The Fight for Gender Equality and Health in Developing Communities

On International Women’s Day, while many celebrate the progress women have made, it’s also crucial to recognize the ongoing battle for gender equality worldwide. Particularly in developing nations, women face unique challenges that are often unnoticed by those in more developed countries.

In the UK, discussions about gender inequality might revolve around the pay gap or the disproportionate share of unpaid caregiving roles women assume. However, in the communities we engage with across Africa and Asia, the challenges are even more fundamental and daunting.

Women in these regions often confront severe obstacles, such as illiteracy and societal norms that prioritize marriage over education. For many, marriage is seen as the only pathway to financial security. The situation becomes even graver when a woman contracts a stigmatized disease like leprosy, often resulting in her being ostracized from her own home.

Access to basic necessities like clean water is another significant hurdle. Unlike in the UK, where water is readily available, women in these communities are responsible for fetching water, sometimes traveling up to 5 km daily, even if they are elderly or affected by leprosy.

Data from the World Health Organization indicates that women constitute 40 percent of leprosy cases. Although there’s no biological predisposition for women to contract leprosy more than men, societal factors hinder their access to treatment. This delay in treatment can lead to severe disabilities, including blindness.

In many cultures, women require their husband’s permission to seek medical help, and the presence of male healthcare providers can deter them from getting examined. To counter these barriers, health initiatives are focusing on women-specific approaches, such as female health workers conducting screenings in women’s groups and scheduling home visits at times when women are likely to be alone.

A recent project in North West Bangladesh exemplifies the success of such targeted efforts. Out of 689 individuals treated for leprosy in 2024, 389 were women, marking a significant achievement with women representing 56 percent of those cured, defying global patterns.

Achieving gender equality demands awareness, commitment, and innovative strategies. Inspirational figures like Bonita and Sunitra, who have lived in a leprosy colony for over 40 years, embody the resilience and camaraderie needed to overcome adversity. Their enduring friendship and optimism serve as a testament to the strength and spirit of women everywhere.