International Women's Day March 8th 2026

 

 

On International Women’s Day, we stand with the millions of women living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Affecting mostly women, ME has too often been dismissed, misunderstood, or minimized within healthcare systems.

For decades, patients were told their debilitating symptoms were psychological rather than biological, leaving many without diagnosis, treatment, or support.

True gender equality must include equity in healthcare - believing women, investing in research, and ensuring that conditions like ME are taken seriously.

When illnesses that affect mostly women are ignored, equality in healthcare remains unfinished. The voices of women with ME matter, and their fight for recognition is part of the broader struggle for women’s rights and dignity worldwide.

This year International Women's Day is celebrating its 115th anniversary. That’s 115 years of advocating for equality and rights for females in this world. Women, including women with ME, deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.

Key Statistics About ME and Women

• An estimated 17 - 30 million people worldwide live with ME.

• Around 70 - 80% of people with ME are women.

• ME disproportionately affects women but has historically been misunderstood, dismissed or underfunded partly because of gender bias in medicine.

• For decades, many patients, especially women, were told their symptoms were “psychological,” “stress,” or “hysteria.”

• Many patients wait years before receiving a diagnosis.

• ME can be as disabling as conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or Congestive Heart Failure in severe cases.

• The illness has historically received far less research funding than diseases with similar levels of disability. Funding for ME research remains far lower than for illnesses with similar disability levels.

#InternationalWomensDay #ME #WomensHealth #IWD