Women Bear the Brunt of Ebola Outbreaks, UN Official Warns at World Health Assembly
Geneva, May 22, 2026 — Women are disproportionately impacted during Ebola outbreaks, often facing higher infection and mortality rates than men, according to Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s chief of humanitarian action. Speaking at the 2026 World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Calltorp emphasized that this disparity is not due to biological differences but rather the social roles women typically occupy in affected communities.
“Historically, women are more likely to be exposed to the virus because they are often the primary caregivers,” Calltorp explained. “Whether caring for sick family members, performing domestic tasks, or participating in burial practices, women are on the frontlines of Ebola transmission.”
This trend was starkly evident during the 2018–2019 Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where women and girls accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported cases. Similarly, during the 2014 epidemic in Liberia, women comprised up to 75% of Ebola fatalities in some communities. Even 50 years ago, in one of the earliest recorded Ebola outbreaks in the DRC, 56% of those who died were women.
Calltorp urged global health leaders to address these gendered vulnerabilities by integrating gender-responsive strategies into outbreak response plans. “We cannot overlook the social realities that drive infection rates,” she said. “Women’s roles as caregivers and frontline workers must be recognized and protected.”
Political Tensions Shadow Health Assembly Discussions
The 2026 WHA, held from May 18 to 23, saw heated debates on several global health issues, with political tensions frequently taking center stage. One recurring topic was Taiwan’s participation in the assembly, which was once again blocked despite Beijing’s objections. China’s lobbying efforts have prevented Taiwan from attending the WHA for ten consecutive years.
Undeterred, Taiwan hosted its own side event, the 2026 Taiwan Smart Medical and HealthTech Expo, at a Geneva hotel. The expo showcased innovations from nine Taiwanese hospitals and 21 companies in the medtech, biotech, and life sciences sectors. Taiwan’s Health Minister, Shih Chung-liang, criticized the WHO for excluding Taiwan and submitted a formal letter of protest to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, urging the organization to grant Taiwan observer status.
The United States, which withdrew from the WHO in January 2026, was notably absent from the proceedings. Meanwhile, Eswatini, one of Taiwan’s few diplomatic allies, was the only African nation to publicly support Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA.
Humanitarian Aid Boosted for DRC and Region
Amid ongoing health crises, the UN announced a $60 million allocation from its Central Emergency Response Fund to accelerate Ebola response efforts in the DRC and neighboring regions. The announcement came as delegates debated broader disruptions to global health supply chains caused by conflicts, including recent Iranian attacks in the Gulf region.
Countries such as Tunisia voted in favor of a WHA motion condemning the Gulf attacks, while Angola, the DRC, Ghana, Mali, Namibia, and South Africa abstained. The abstentions highlighted the complex geopolitical dynamics influencing global health discussions.
Call for Gender-Inclusive Outbreak Responses
As the WHA concluded, Calltorp’s remarks underscored the urgent need for gender-sensitive approaches in global health emergencies. “If we fail to address the structural inequalities that put women at greater risk, we will continue to see the same patterns in future outbreaks,” she warned.
Her call for action resonated with many delegates, who acknowledged that women’s roles in caregiving and healthcare must be both recognized and safeguarded. With Ebola cases persisting in parts of Africa, the lessons from past outbreaks remain critical to shaping more equitable and effective responses.
— Reported by Nexio News
