UN Women statement: Women and girls account for the majority of laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda

The reality of this current outbreak follows the same pattern that history has repeatedly shown us: women and girls are disproportionately affected in past Ebola outbreaks. Transmission of the disease follows social realities, spreading along the lines of caregiving, domestic labour, front-line health work, and burial practices that put women and girls in close contact during the infectious stages of the disease.

This was seen in the 2018–2019 Ebola outbreak in the DRC, where women and girls accounted for around two thirds of reported cases; and all the way back to 1976 in the DRC, where women accounted for 56 per cent of those who died.

To change the course, we need stronger investment in primary health care programmes that respond to the realities of women and girls. This means ensuring access to personal protective equipment and prevention supplies, and investing in women’s training and leadership in community-based Ebola awareness and prevention. This is essential for early detection and safe care.

We must also invest consistently and flexibly in women-led organizations. They are already on the front lines and play a critical role in crisis communication – ensuring that accurate, life-saving information reaches women and their communities, and that misinformation does not take hold. Sustained funding is what allows this work to continue and scale.

UN Women is working on the ground in Ebola-affected countries alongside governments, the UN system, and women-led organizations. Our role is to support and amplify their efforts and ensure that women have a seat at the table, shaping decisions on prevention, response, and recovery.