Chemicals and Health: Why Gender Matters
Chemical safety policies rarely account for gender discrimination, yet women and girls face some of the most acute risks of toxic exposure. Their daily roles — from household care and agricultural work to informal waste management — place them in frequent contact with hazardous substances. Biological susceptibility compounds these risks, leaving women and girls disproportionately vulnerable.
Despite these realities, gender-disaggregated hazard data remains limited. What does exist shows clear evidence: endocrine disruptors, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and heavy metals can have devastating health consequences, particularly for women.
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Women’s Health
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with hormones, driving risks such as cancers, infertility, preterm birth, and metabolic disorders. Women are especially affected due to both biological susceptibility and exposure linked to everyday products and occupations. Phthalates, often called “everywhere and everyone” chemicals, appear in nearly all human samples, disrupting reproductive health and child development. Bisphenol A (BPA), common in plastics, has been found in urine, blood, and even the placenta, linked to miscarriages and metabolic disease.
The Right to Know
Consumers still have no reliable way to know whether plastics and other products contain toxic substances, including POPs. Guaranteeing the right to chemical information is essential. Transparency and stronger regulations can protect public health, drive innovation, and accelerate the shift toward toxics-free materials. By demanding safer choices, communities can press governments and industry to put health above profit.
“Join the conversation, advocate for strong policies that protect women's health and the health of our community.”
This blog post was developed drawing on insights from the GGKP regional workshop for Latin America and the Caribbean “Mainstreaming Gender in National Implementation Plans under the Stockholm Convention” held on 26 August 2025. As part of the Global NIP Update project (GEF ID 10785), funded by GEF and led by UNEP, this workshop shared practical insights on integrating gender into NIPs, featuring experiences from the national project experts, civil society and community groups.
To learn more about the Global NIP Update project, visit Global NIP Update | Green Policy Platform
For a deeper dive into the GGKP gender workshop focused on Latin America and the Caribbean, you can access the full recordings and materials here: https://www.greenpolicyplatform.org/webinar/regional-workshop-latin-america-and-caribbean-mainstreaming-gender-national-implementation
Authors:
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María Isabel Cárcamo, RAP-AL / PAN Uruguay and IPEN |
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Soomin Bae, Knowledge Management Support Consultant, GGKP/GGGI
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