Survivors Against TB launches Women in TB initiative ‘She Fights TB’

New Delhi: Survivors Against TB (SATB), a collective of tuberculosis (TB) survivors, advocates and experts dedicated to strengthening India’s fight against TB, has announced the launch of a groundbreaking initiative focusing on the unique challenges faced by women in the battle against TB.

Women constitute a highly vulnerable population when it comes to TB, facing biological, social, structural and economic barriers that hinder access to timely diagnosis, reliable treatment, and effective support.

For women, the TB stigma is extreme, often debilitating, leading to abuse, abandonment, forced silence and continued suffering that goes unnoticed. This initiative aims to address these challenges and create a tailored policy and programmatic response to the needs of women in the fight against TB in India and globally.

“This initiative is about ensuring that our voices and experiences are heard, understood, represented and inform policy and programs. We need better gender responsive care for women impacted by TB in India and globally,” said Akshata Acharya, co-lead of the initiative. “As a TB survivor, I know firsthand how critical it is to address the unique barriers women face. We must create a world where women feel supported, heard, and empowered to seek TB care without fear or stigma.”

SATB’s Women’s TB Initiative will work to raise awareness about the intersection of gender and TB, advocate for gender-responsive healthcare policies, and work with women affected by TB to take leadership roles in the fight against the disease. By creating visible, safe spaces for women to share their stories and participate actively in decision-making processes, SATB hopes to foster a community where their concerns are prioritized and addressed effectively.

Deepti Chavan, a survivor of multidrug-resistant TB and co-lead of the initiative, added, “Women often bear the brunt of TB silently due to societal pressures and limited access to resources. This initiative is not just about awareness or ending stigma; it’s about systemic change. We need policies and healthcare systems that are inclusive and recognize the specific challenges women encounter in TB care. Together, we can bring about that change.”