The role of gender in antimicrobial resistance: Findings from a scoping review

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat requiring a strong focus on equity. This scoping review aimed to document the evidence to outline recommendations for gender-responsive AMR policies, programmes, and interventions aligned with the World Health Organization's People-centered approach to addressing AMR in the human health sector. We collected academic and grey literature published in English between 2000 and 2025 resulting in 141 records included for data extraction. Data was mapped onto a Gender and AMR Matrix and thematically analysed. Our findings suggest that restrictive gender norms create gender inequities in AMR vulnerability, exposure and outcomes because of the gendered distribution of labour and roles, access to resources, and inequitable decision-making and power structures. Harmful gender norms and values not only influence access to quality healthcare but are also foundational to other gender domains such as the distribution of labour and roles, and decision-making power that ultimately impact the risk of infection and access to treatment and diagnosis. These findings underscore the complex interplay between gender dynamics and AMR outcomes and highlight the need for AMR policies that recognise gender inequities and address related systemic barriers to equitable access to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant infections.

Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; SDG 3: Good health and well-being; SDG 5: Gender equality; access; gender; health equity; health policy.