Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda: Women and Girls Account for Majority of Cases, Aid Groups Raise Protection Concerns

Beyond the Virus: Why Ebola Disproportionately Impacts Women and Girls

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda reveals a stark disparity: women and girls make up the majority of confirmed cases. According to compiled data from 457 laboratory-confirmed cases with demographic information, 244 (over 53%) involved females. Among adolescents, the gap widens, with females accounting for over 61% of infections. Multiple international aid organizations have issued urgent statements regarding the specific risks and protection needs of this demographic.

This trend is not new. Current data consistently shows more than half of confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC and Uganda involve women and girls. Historical reports confirm this pattern:

• During the 2018–2019 Ebola outbreak in the DRC, women and girls accounted for roughly two-thirds of reported infections.
• Reports from Liberia’s 2014 outbreak state that in some communities, up to three-quarters of Ebola-related deaths were women.
• Historical records from the first known outbreak in 1976 in the DRC also indicate disproportionately high mortality rates among women.

"In every outbreak we have responded to, we have seen what happens when protection is treated as an afterthought."

Health experts and aid organizations have identified several contributing factors rooted in social and economic roles.

• Primary Caretakers: Women and girls are traditionally the primary caretakers of the sick within families and communities, which significantly increases their exposure to the virus.
• Increased Domestic Burden: The outbreak creates increased demands for water collection and hygiene. Sources say this forces women and girls to travel further from their homes, exposing them to more risk.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has warned that the risks extend far beyond infection. Women and girls face heightened exposure to sexual violence and exploitation. Conditions typical of large-scale emergency responses—such as an influx of staff and resources, acute need, and power imbalances—are cited as factors that enable exploitation and abuse.

Survivors of violence face significant barriers to accessing care due to fear, stigma, and disrupted health services. Additionally, pregnant women face a unique crisis. Sources report an 80% case fatality rate for pregnant women infected with Ebola, and fear of transmission may deter them from seeking facility-based services. Previous outbreaks have shown that disruptions to routine health services can significantly increase maternal and child mortality. Children also risk becoming orphans or displaced and require specific safeguarding measures.

UN Women has called for increased investment in healthcare systems and community programs that directly address the needs of women and girls. The organization advocates for greater access to personal protective equipment, prevention supplies, and community education. They are urging sustained funding for women-led organizations in affected communities to help disseminate health information and combat misinformation. UN Women states that ensuring women's participation in decision-making on prevention, response, and recovery is essential for effective public health strategies.

The IRC reports integrating protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) into its Ebola responses from the beginning of operations, including comprehensive training, codes of conduct, and supervision for all staff and community workers. The IRC emphasizes that prevention alone is insufficient and that survivors must have immediate access to clinical care, psychosocial support, and referral systems. The organization further states that communities must be informed of their rights and reporting mechanisms.

"You cannot contain Ebola while leaving women and girls exposed to exploitation."

Weihui Wang, IRC’s Emergency Protection Technical Advisor, delivered a powerful reminder:

"Communities that do not trust the people delivering aid disengage from life-saving services. They stop coming forward for surveillance, treatment, and contact tracing. Getting protection right from day one is what helps to make the response work."