Committee: UN Women

Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

INTRODUCTION
UN Women is a United Nations entity founded in 2010 to promote gender equality and
improve the status of women worldwide. Its work spans many areas, including health,
education, political participation, and economic empowerment. One key aspect of this is
addressing the disparities in healthcare that arise from the gender gap in medical
research. Historically, medical research has favored male subjects, resulting in limited
data on how women’s bodies react to treatments and interventions. To ensure that
women receive better healthcare outcomes, it is crucial to close this gap and ensure
their unique health needs are properly studied and understood.
History of the Committee
UN Women was created by consolidating several UN agencies working on women's
issues. Its formation marked a more focused and coordinated approach to advancing
women’s rights globally. Over the years, UN Women has advocated for greater gender
equality in various sectors, including healthcare. Historically, medical research has not
adequately included women, which has led to a lack of data on how medical treatments
affect female bodies. This problem can be traced to several reasons, including concerns
over the complexity of studying women due to hormonal changes or potential pregnancy
risks. By pushing for more inclusive medical research, UN Women seeks to ensure that
women’s health is no longer overlooked and that healthcare systems provide care that
reflects their specific needs.
Statement of the Problem
The gender gap in medical research has created significant health challenges for
women. For decades, many clinical trials have primarily included male participants,
which has resulted in a limited understanding of how medical treatments impact women
differently. This gender disparity arises due to several factors, including concerns about
potential pregnancy complications, hormonal changes, and perceived difficulties in
standardizing female participants for research. However, this exclusion has left a
knowledge gap in women’s health, which can lead to misdiagnosis or ineffective
treatments.
Three main issues define this problem. First, the lack of female representation in clinical
trials results in medical treatments that may not be as effective or even safe for women.
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

This occurs because research findings from male participants are often generalized to
women, without sufficient data to support how well they apply. Second, women from
diverse backgrounds, such as different ethnicities and life stages, are often
underrepresented in research, leading to even greater disparities in care for
marginalized groups. Third, to address this issue, reforms are necessary to ensure that
women are consistently and thoroughly included in all phases of medical research. This
includes accounting for factors such as hormonal changes, reproductive health, and life
stages like pregnancy and menopause. By closing this gap, healthcare providers will be
better equipped to offer treatments that are tailored to the unique biological needs of
women, improving health outcomes for women across the world.

Equal rights for all genders are essential to human dignity. The majority of the most
concerning problems in our society start with a lack of meeting this right. UN Women is
one of the many organizations that are supported by the United Nations. It was built
around the idea of achieving gender equality between men and women. UN Women
also aims to meet the needs of women around the globe, this committee designs
programs, policies and even laws that are sure to benefit girls and women worldwide.
Compared to the United Nations, which was established in October, 1945, we could say
UN Women is quite recent; it was founded in July 2010 through a motion of merging 4
other organizations of the UN:

● The Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), this entity was established
one year after the UN, and it was a part of its secretariat, it revolves around
international policy analysis, research and normative work to create standards of
gender equality.
● The International Research and Training Institute for the advancement of Women
(INSTRAW) was created in 1976 with its primary focus being on research and
training on gender problems, establishing grounds for gender equality.
● UN development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), this branch of the UN was also
established in 1976. Centered around project implementation, the funding
needed and focusing on raising awareness.
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

● Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of

Women(OSAGI), founded in 1993, provided equality-aimed advice to the UN
Secretary General, supporting gender-sensitive policies.

In the names of three of these four entities, we can highlight one word; “advancement”.
The creation of UN Women was a massive step toward gender equality and female
empowerment. All of these organizations came together with one common goal, to
create what we know today as UN Women.

To carry out our purpose as a committee there’s something we must ask ourselves; how
can we continue progressing towards gender equality to provide equal lives for men and
women? Well, there is an area that is still in need of huge improvement, and that is the
medical field. There is a health gender gap. Women are suffering from health decline far
more than men, the health industry is still unaware of many factors about the female
body that contribute to how they respond and react to several treatments and/or
illnesses.
The gender gap in medical research means that there is less information about how
women respond to treatments and medications compared to men. This gap exists
because women have been historically excluded from many clinical trials, often due to
concerns about pregnancy or hormonal changes. This lack of research has serious
consequences: women are more likely to be misdiagnosed or given treatments that are
less effective for them. First, this issue affects healthcare systems worldwide, where
women's health concerns are not fully understood or addressed. Second, it impacts
women from different backgrounds, as race and economic status can worsen these
inequalities. Finally, to close this gap, medical research must change to ensure that
women's bodies, in all their diversity, are properly studied and understood. Addressing
this problem is essential to achieving equal healthcare for all women.
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

DEVELOPMENT
As previously said, in this committee we are going to be addressing the inequality in
medical research between the male and the female body, to better understand how
women’s bodies react to several medical conditions, treatments and medications.
Why is our knowledge about women’s health so scarce? The first thing to talk about is
the under representation of women in clinical trials. Prior to the year 1993, women were
never included in clinical trials, and even today, with all the technological and medical
advances, we still don’t know how effectively several drugs and devices work on the
female body.
For ages, the male body has been considered “the standard” and the female body has
been considered “atypical”, even though the majority of countries and regions have
more women than men. Although social changes since the 1990s have positively
altered the situation, promoting equality and advocating for female rights, the medical
field has still remained unresponsive when it comes to research on females.
To the extent that many medical researchers avoid experimenting on female mice
because considering the female mice’s hormonal and reproductive cycles is said to
increase experiment and duration costs, causing many studies to have been designed
with male subjects in mind, focusing on their systems and functionings.
While intending to protect prenatal life from harmful treatments, existing regulations
have inadvertently limited women's participation in clinical trials, resulting in a significant
knowledge gap regarding women's health and how women, especially women of color,
experience illnesses and conditions and the best way to treat them.

In the most basic level of anatomy, the only thing that varies between men and women
are their reproductive systems; meanwhile, most non-reproductive organs have
variations anatomically and genetically, for instance, the brain differences in the volume
of specific regions, neuronal gene expression and physiology. These are mostly
because of hormones, internal cells and sex chromosome-managed mechanisms that
also play an important yet unresearched role. Each cell has a sex. Even our organs
know their sex independently of reproductive hormones; therefore, even common
diseases manifest themselves, grow, and respond to treatment differently according to
the sex of the body they inhabit. This knowledge should promote the need to expand
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

our horizons in the research of the female body; however, clinical studies fail to include
sex as a variable. A clear example of this is that only 4% out of 100% of COVID-19
clinical studies planned on considering the factors of the female body in their
investigation, the rest focusing only on males.
The lack of sex analysis can be mortal, the classic symptoms of cardiac arrest are male
based, which has caused late diagnosis and response for women. Women are twice as
likely as men to experience harmful medication side effects due to inadequate research
and testing in female populations. Examination of drug reactions only in men has also
led to fatal consequences of dangerous dosing guidelines; studies have found evidence
from thousands of medical journal articles that there is a drug dose gender gap (the
differences in drug dosing and efficiency for males and females) for many medications.
For example, when talking about antidepressants, females may experience a bigger
amount of side effects, they may require lower doses because of bigger risk of serotonin
syndrome (a life-threatening condition led by prescription drugs, causing excessive
serotonin levels in the body), differences in drug metabolism, increased risk of cardiac
arrhythmias (when a heart beats, too fast, too slow, or in any abnormal way), and
hypertensive crises (extremely high blood pressure). When talking about cardiovascular
drugs women may also require lower doses because of bigger sensitivity and risk of
bleeding, differences in platelet aggregation (when blood cells clump and form a blood
clot), cough and angioedema (severe swelling in skin and its tissues). And when talking
about analgesics women may also require smaller doses because of sensitivity and
higher risk of addiction and liver toxicity, they may also experience gastrointestinal side
effects because of differences in prostaglandin synthesis (the production of substances
similar to hormones that play important roles in the body). These are only three drugs
out of the 86 drugs, approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), that have been
proved to have different effects between the male and the female body. Between
2004-2003, women in the United States suffered around 2 million drug-related adverse
effects.

A professor called Irving Zucker, with degrees in psychology and integrative biology in
UC Berkeley, leading a study in the topic said, "When it comes to prescribing drugs, a
one-size-fits-all approach, based on male-dominated clinical trials, is not working, and
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

women are getting the short end of the stick," His research reveals that women
metabolize drugs differently, with higher blood concentrations and slower elimination
rates compared to men, even at identical doses. Furthermore, a staggering 90% of
women experience adverse reactions, including headaches, nausea, hallucinations,
agitation, cardiac issues, and numerous other side effects.
Women are twice more likely to develop chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia (muscle
pain), chronic fatigue syndrome (a profound debilitating illness), and chronic Lyme
syndrome (bacterial infection with severe consequences).
Autoimmune diseases affect around 8% of the global population, and 78% of those
people are women. Females are thrice more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis , a
chronic disease that causes severe damage to the joints as it creates inflammation
around its tissues, the causes of this condition are still unknown, and they are four times
more likely to be misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis, another chronic disease that
affects the central nervous system.
Two-thirds of the people that suffer from Alzheimer are women.
An investigation published in 2013 uncovered a notable discrepancy in the efficacy of
orthopedic implants among women, potentially due to overlooked anatomical
differences and insufficient testing. Meanwhile, heart disease claims 1 in 5 women's
lives in the US, yet the medical community has failed to prioritize female-centric
research. Compounding this issue, gender bias obstructs women's access to tailored
prevention and care.
“Women shouldn’t be in a ‘special populations’ category,” says Martha Gulati, MD,
FACC, Cardiologist at the Smidt Heart Institute, Director of Prevention, Women's Heart
Center, and President, American Society for Preventive Cardiology.

Diving further into the topic; a timeline of women in clinical trials:

1962: The drug Thalidomide, widely prescribed for morning sickness in Europe and
Australia, led to a devastating health crisis, resulting in over 10,000 birth defects and
infant deaths.
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

1977: The Federal Drug Administration develops a protocol to exclude women from
participating in clinical research, aside from cases where they were in life-threatening
situations.

1986: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that women should be included in
medical research studies.

1990: The NIH creates the Office of Research on Women's Health, leading to programs
with the target of progressing female research in the medical field.
1993: The FDA finally changes its policy, promoting the inclusion of women in medical
research.

Even after all these events, women’s health research receives only 12% of the NIH
funding and 80% of clinical trials exclude women.

So, with all of this knowledge, why are women still being ignored and excluded in the
medical field? As mentioned earlier, gender bias and gender norms also play a very
important role in this topic.
A woman once felt a lump in her neck, concerned, she scheduled an appointment with
a doctor who didn’t even check her neck before waving her off telling her it was a
COVID-19 side effect. She turned out to have a tumor.
Another woman, with stage-3 breast cancer, was told by her surgeon she had to drain
any fluids accumulated behind her breast to avoid any possible infection. She
proceeded to go to a radiologist, to drain the fluids causing her discomfort, to which he
rudely responded she didn’t have enough to drain, brushing off her pain and rushing her
out of the office.
Another one had complained about intense abdominal pain for 5 years, but she had
always been dismissed by all the doctors she had gone to, until one day, when her pain
became unbearable she was taken to the hospital. After all those years, the only one
who believed her was a female physician’s assistant, that helped her have some tests
done. Her life was cut short due to stage-3 ovarian cancer, which claimed her life in just
18 months.
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

Dozens of women endured agonizing pain during fertility procedures, misled into
believing it was normal when, in fact, they weren't receiving proper anesthesia.
These are just a few cases out of millions of women who have been dismissed or
misdiagnosed of their pain and suffering.
“There is a pain gap, but there is also a credibility gap. Women are not believed about
their bodies—period.” Says Anushay Hossain is a passionate advocate for women's
health, using her voice as a writer and researcher to champion social justice and
equality. With expertise in feminist policy analysis, she sheds light on critical issues
impacting women's lives.

Society has established that men are stronger and tougher, and that women are fragile
and sensitive; therefore, if a man asks for help, they seriously need it, whereas a
woman is just being emotional or dramatic. Studies have shown that there is not a big
pain tolerance difference between the sexes, however, women are more comfortable
sharing their pain, meanwhile, men are more likely to keep it to themselves. This has
made women seem weak and it has prevented them from being taken seriously, even
when they require serious medical help. So what has this led to? Knowing so little of
women's health, especially female-only diseases, has resulted in misdiagnosis and
delayed diagnosis, and many inadequate or ineffective treatments. Additionally, the only
approach for these illnesses is symptomatic relief, which helps to ease the symptoms
without addressing the actual cause of the disease, so women can feel less pain but,
eventually, their bodies are not eradicating the disease. Palliative treatment is also used
to cloak the disease instead of curing it. Hormonal therapies involve manipulating
hormone levels to soothe symptoms. None of these actually heal women, they just
mask the pain, since there is no successful remedy known. This committee aims to
change that. To expand our knowledge of women's health, their systems, their bodies,
to understand their needs and start progressing, for the health and well-being of all
women, worldwide.

GEOPOLITICAL OVERVIEW
The gap in medical research that overlooks women is a global issue, though its impact
is felt differently depending on the region. Wealthy countries, which have historically
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

dominated medical research, are now beginning to address the lack of focus on
women’s health in studies. Countries like the United States and members of the
European Union are taking steps to correct these disparities. However, in lower-income
nations, the issue is much more pronounced due to limited healthcare infrastructure and
research funding. The gender gap in research is more than just a scientific oversight—it
reflects broader inequalities in global healthcare, underscoring the need for worldwide
cooperation to close this divide.

Developed nations, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and
various European Union members, have led the way in medical research but historically
left women underrepresented. These countries are now making efforts to change this by
enacting policies that require women to be included in clinical trials. On the other hand,
many developing nations in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America face even greater
challenges due to a lack of healthcare resources and insufficient investment in
research. In these regions, the consequences of the gender research gap are more
severe, with women at greater risk of undiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions, which
makes closing this gap even more urgent.
Geopolitical groups play varying roles in addressing the gender gap in medical
research. The European Union has implemented policies that require the inclusion of
women in clinical trials, emphasizing the importance of gender-sensitive research.
Similarly, the United States has introduced reforms through its National Institutes of
Health (NIH), mandating the inclusion of women in federally funded research.
Meanwhile, regions like Africa and Southeast Asia, represented by the African Union
(AU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have been slower to
focus specifically on this issue. While improving healthcare access in general is a
priority, efforts to ensure gender-specific medical research are still in the early stages.
Collaboration between these blocks will be essential to ensuring more inclusive
healthcare for women worldwide.

Timeline of Events
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

● 1990s: Greater awareness of the gender gap in medical research emerges, with
the United States beginning to push for more inclusion of women in studies.
● 1993: The NIH Revitalization Act was enacted in the United States, requiring the
inclusion of women in federally funded clinical research.
● 2014: The European Union established regulations ensuring clinical trials
consider gender differences to promote more inclusive studies.
● 2016: The World Health Organization (WHO) called for broader efforts to include
women in medical research, particularly in developing nations.
● Present: Despite progress in high-income countries, the gender gap in medical
research continues to affect women globally, especially in under-resourced
regions.

CONCLUSION
Addressing the gender gap in medical research is vital for creating a fair and effective
healthcare system for women. When women are not adequately included in research, it
leads to incomplete medical data, increasing the risk of incorrect diagnoses or
ineffective treatments. By solving this problem, we ensure that healthcare is more
responsive to the needs of all individuals, especially women, who have been historically
underrepresented. This requires joint efforts from governments, research institutions,
and healthcare providers around the world. Everyone has a role to play in closing this
gap, which is essential for better health outcomes for women globally.

There are several practical solutions to reduce the gender gap in medical research. One
approach is to strengthen and enforce policies that require women to be included in
clinical studies. Governments can also provide funding specifically for research that
focuses on women’s health and ensure diversity in studies by including women of
different ages, races, and backgrounds. Additionally, sharing research findings between
countries and educating healthcare professionals about gender-specific needs will
ensure that research leads to real improvements in women’s care.
Already Established Solutions and Their Results
Efforts to close the gender gap in medical research have already seen positive
outcomes in some parts of the world. For instance, The 1993 NIH Revitalization Act
Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

marked a significant shift towards inclusivity in clinical research, mandating women's

participation. This led to a significant increase in data on women’s health, improving
treatment options. The European Union has also introduced policies that promote the
inclusion of women in medical research, resulting in more accurate data on gender
differences in health. These efforts show that progress is possible, but expanding these
initiatives globally, especially in regions with fewer resources, is crucial for ensuring
equitable healthcare for all women.

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Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

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Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth. Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on

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Committee: UN Women
Topic: Closing the gender medical research gap to understand the reactions of the
female body.
Chair: Regina Molina Sena
Moderator: Isabella Rodriguez Sanchez

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