Gender and Medical Waste in the Time of COVID-19

This brief examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified medical waste challenges, increasing exposure risks, particularly for women engaged in healthcare, informal care, and waste management. It outlines how inadequate waste systems, poor segregation, and limited protective measures heighten risks for vulnerable groups. The document highlights women’s concentration in low-paid, high-risk roles and identifies gaps in policy reach, awareness, and support, emphasising the importance of integrating gender considerations into waste management responses.