Epidemics Impact Women Differently, History Shows

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands⁤ (AP) — Epidemics affect women and girls differently‍ than men, according to historian Daniel R. Curtis of Erasmus University Rotterdam. While data from the COVID-19 pandemic indicated a higher survival rate for women, notably in wealthier nations, Curtis argues this doesn’t reflect the full impact.

Curtis,‍ whose office is located in the university’s brutalist⁤ building, believes historians are vital in understanding disease outbreaks.⁤ “Unlike economists or⁣ sociologists,‍ we have a ‘laboratory’ of ancient data⁤ to study structural changes over decades ⁤and centuries,” he‍ said. However, he notes a meaningful gap: “Data that⁣ explicitly distinguishes between⁢ men and women are largely lacking. ‍We have structural data about how ⁤disasters influence people,but ‘people’ usually means men.”

Consequently, knowledge about the specific impact of⁢ epidemics on women remains limited, Curtis said. Existing information is often fragmented and anecdotal.”Only recently did we ⁣systematically start collecting gender-specific data. Even during COVID-19, hardly any thought has been given to gender as a relevant ⁤theme.”

He cited an example from the United Kingdom where ⁤initial orders for medical masks⁤ failed to account for women’s facial structure, endangering female caregivers due⁢ to ill-fitting equipment.”A⁣ detail⁤ perhaps, but it⁢ shows how little attention there is ⁤for ⁤gender during crises,”⁤ Curtis said.

Curtis is currently writing a book examining the social consequences of ⁢epidemics, with a focus on gender ⁤and inequality.

why Gender Matters in Epidemic Research

Curtis emphasizes the importance⁣ of investigating gender as a distinct theme during epidemics.”We know that women and girls are usually the most affected⁤ by disasters such as floods,‍ earthquakes, and drought,” he ‍said. He referenced a study analyzing data ⁤from 141 countries between 1981 and 2002, which showed that natural disasters reduce the life expectancy of ‍women more frequently enough and to a greater extent than men. This disparity, he argues, is not due to biological differences but to inequality in protection, access to aid, and social ⁣position.

“The same pattern can⁤ be seen in recent disease outbreaks such ‍as HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and Zika,” Curtis added. “Therefore, more research is needed into how and why women are hit so hard, so that we are better ⁤able ‍to prevent or reduce these negative effects for women.”

Gender and gender issues should be central in large disciplines such as economics and history.

beyond Mortality Rates: The Broader Impact

While initial data from the COVID-19 ‍pandemic suggested women fared better ⁢in terms ⁢of mortality, Curtis cautions against drawing premature conclusions. He notes‍ that factors such as higher obesity⁣ rates and risk-taking behavior among ⁢men in prosperous countries may ⁣have contributed to the ⁤higher male mortality rate.

However, mortality is just one ⁤aspect. Curtis⁤ points out that during the ⁣pandemic, girls‍ were more likely to discontinue their education, and women disproportionately承担 caregiving responsibilities, often‍ forcing them to⁤ leave their jobs. Lockdowns also limited women’s access to essential ⁢sexual healthcare services.

Increased ⁣Violence ‍Against Women

A 2021 UN Women study highlighted an⁣ increase in violence‍ against women and girls ⁤as⁣ the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“during COVID, the forced isolation at home has led to more‍ domestic violence worldwide,” Curtis said. “That is partly due to ‍the cutting off ‍of social networks and a decrease in assistance to victims.”

Integrating ⁢Gender into Mainstream Research

Curtis advocates for the integration of gender issues⁢ into mainstream disciplines like economics and history. “The idea of gender studies or ⁤gender history actually feels⁤ uncomfortable for me,”⁣ he said.”Gender and gender issues should⁤ be central to ⁢large disciplines such as economics and history. It doesn’t matter if we are social, economic, or political historian – this should all interest⁣ us.”

While acknowledging the value of specialized ⁢fields like gender history, ‍Curtis believes that working solely within ⁢these frameworks can create “tunnel vision.” He emphasizes the importance of researchers adopting a broader⁤ perspective.

What frustrated me in the corona period was‍ how quickly people concluded conclusions.

Working on Epidemics During a pandemic

Curtis described working on epidemic-related research during the COVID-19 pandemic as a “crazy experience.” He was‍ involved in projects examining epidemics and hatred, the influence of epidemics on ⁢inequality, and the portrayal of epidemics in film. The pandemic thrust his work⁣ into the spotlight, leading to numerous interviews and presentations.

However,he also observed “opportunism” as individuals with no prior experience in the field suddenly presented themselves ⁢as ⁢experts,only to disappear once the pandemic subsided. “That felt double,” Curtis⁢ said.”Moreover, it ‍was just too much –‍ not only the daily lives, but also personally. Hardly‍ could escape.”

Historical Parallels and Long-Term Consequences

Curtis expressed frustration with the speed at which people drew conclusions ‍during the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the need for historical distance and reflection. For example, he questioned the claim that the pandemic increased economic inequality, noting that while 2020 saw a halt in the decline of global income inequality, it remains challenging to interpret this as a long-term trend.

He stresses the importance⁣ of ⁢examining the long-term historical impact of epidemics on the distribution of wealth and resources, particularly concerning gender. While acknowledging the ⁣short-term impact on women,such as job loss and increased caregiving responsibilities,he seeks to understand the long-term,intergenerational effects. “That is a question that can only be answered with historical research,” he said.

Temporary Autonomy in Past Epidemics

Curtis noted instances in the pre-industrial Low Countries where ⁣epidemics temporarily granted women ‍greater economic autonomy. For example, widows could gain control over their ⁤deceased husbands’ property. however, he emphasized that this autonomy was often short-lived.

‘Typhoid Mary’ got the stigma from an unclean, dissolute woman.

A Broader Perspective on Women’s Experiences

Curtis argues⁤ for a shift in how we view⁤ the impact of epidemics on ⁢women. Customary ⁣research frequently enough focuses on mortality rates⁢ or economic consequences like wages. However, he contends that wages alone‍ do⁤ not fully capture women’s position, as many women worked in households or the ⁢informal economy.

“We have to look broaderly ‍at how epidemics become women,” Curtis said. “Think of access to resources, safety, depiction, and changes in social roles. After an epidemic,do women get more ⁤control in⁤ their community? Do they become extra vulnerable to ‍violence or abuse? How does their⁤ role in long-term society change? Those questions we have⁣ to⁤ really understand how ⁣men.”

The Germ Theory and the Image of Women

Even after the acceptance of the germ theory, Curtis ‍notes that women continued to be depicted negatively during epidemics. The association of certain groups with disease germs persisted into the early ⁣20th century.

“Epidemics were used to spread morally loaded stereotypical images of women,” Curtis ⁢said. He cited the example of “Typhoid Mary,” Mary‍ Mallon,an Irish cook who unknowingly infected dozens with typhoid fever.Her ⁤portrayal, he argues, reflects broader societal anxieties⁢ about moral decline, governance failures, and national vulnerability.