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Unseen experts: Women remain sidelined Despite being Leaders On Pandemic Prevention
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Gender responsive veterinary services improve disease control, animal welfare and rural livelihoods, yet women remain sidelined
When women are trained and deployed, there is earlier detection of diseases like foot and mouth disease and avian influenza
Women are entering veterinary education in record numbers, but structural barriers push them out of the frontline
Working animal charity Brooke is calling for a breakdown of structural barriers to improve gender equity
Women animal health practitioners are critical to protecting animal welfare, strengthening disease surveillance, and supporting rural livelihoods. Yet, they remain significantly underrepresented, undervalued, and underserved within animal health systems across Africa, Asia and Latin America, according to a new gender insight review by Brooke, the working animal charity, for International Women’s Day 2026.
Brooke outlines global research and field-based evidence on the experiences of women veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals (VPPs). It finds that although women now make up the majority of veterinary students in many regions, this progress has not translated into equality in the workforce. In many low and middle-income countries, women account for just 20–30% of practising animal health professionals, and even fewer hold leadership or large animal roles.
Ellie Parravani, External Affairs Advisor at Brooke, said:
“Women are entering veterinary education in record numbers, but structural barriers are pushing them out of frontline and decision-making roles. This is not only a gender equity issue, but it is also a systems failure with real consequences for animal health and rural resilience.”
Early disease detection when women are trained and deployed
In 2026, the UN recognised International Year of the Women Farmer. Globally, women make up two-thirds of the world’s low-income livestock keepers, yet they remain chronically under supported by animal health and extension services. Cultural norms in many regions restrict women farmers' interactions with male veterinarians, leaving major gaps in access to care. Women veterinarians and VPPs are uniquely positioned to close this gap, improving access to timely treatment, vaccination, and disease prevention.
Gender responsive veterinary services are consistently linked to earlier disease detection, higher vaccination uptake, improved animal welfare practices, and better biosecurity outcomes. Evidence from FAO and Brooke country partners shows that when women animal health practitioners are trained, supported, and deployed, disease surveillance improves, including for high-impact transboundary diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, peste des petits ruminants, and avian influenza.
Economic and public health implications
Animal diseases cost the global economy an estimated £280 billion every year, disproportionately affecting smallholder farmers and rural communities. Brooke knows that empowering women within animal health systems significantly reduces these losses. Gender-responsive training programmes for women VPPs in countries such as Nigeria and Uganda resulted in improved livestock survival, increased productivity, and a 53% rise in average monthly income for participants.
These gains extend beyond animal health. Increased income and professional recognition for women practitioners strengthen household resilience, improve food security, and contribute to broader rural economic stability.
Ellie Parravani said:
“The evidence is clear, empowering women animal health practitioners is not optional but essential. Gender equity must be embedded as a core design principle in animal health policies, training systems, and workforce development strategies.
“When women are supported to thrive as animal health practitioners, animals are healthier, diseases are detected sooner, and rural communities are more resilient. The benefits extend far beyond gender equity; women strengthen entire animal health systems.”
Bias, harassment and risks
Despite their proven impact, women animal health practitioners face severe challenges. The review documents widespread gender bias, pay inequity, limited access to practical training, mobility and safety risks, and disproportionate caregiving burdens. In some settings, women report being paid less than their male colleagues for the same work or being denied services by farmers who question their competence, particularly in large animal practice.
Safety concerns are especially acute for women working in remote areas, where risks include harassment, violence, and unreliable transport. These barriers not only undermine women’s careers but also limit the reach and quality of animal health services available to communities.
Solutions needed at scale
Brooke’s review highlights emerging examples of effective, gender responsive approaches in animal health, drawing lessons from both veterinary and human health systems.
Successful initiatives to create positive working environments for women AHPs include:
- Gender disaggregated needs assessments
- Blended online and face-to-face training and mentorship
- Childcare sensitive scheduling and transport support
- Animal handling skills training
- Male allyship programmes
- Challenge stereotypes and biased norms in communities and animal health systems.
Global institutions are beginning to respond. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has established a gender task force. It is developing a global gender strategy, while recent continental workforce recommendations in Africa call for equal pay, safer workplaces, gender responsive education, and leadership pathways for women in veterinary services.
ENDS
Contact [email protected] for an interview / 020 7653 5885.
Notes to Editor:
Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys is a U.K. based, global animal health and welfare charity that gives working horses, donkeys and mules a life worth living.
Over 100 million of these animals pull carts, carry goods and work the land, earning an income that around 600 million people rely on to put food on their tables, earn a living and send their children to school. Sadly, many of them are suffering, so Brooke works with owners, communities, service providers, governments and international organisations to make long lasting welfare improvements.
References:
How can WOAH support women working in veterinary services?
FAO: Women represent 36% of the workforce in agrifood systems in Latin America and the Caribbean
A framework for gender-responsive livestock development
Empowerment: How women are shaping the future of the veterinary workforce - WOAH - Africa
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