Health Disparities Among Muslim Women in India

Access to good health facilities is a universal and comprehensive human right. However, achieving health for all is challenging for developing countries like India due to limited resources and extreme population pressure. Additionally, socio-economic disparities have a spillover effect on the accessibility of health facilities. In a country where healthcare accessibility is already limited, women in general, and Muslim women in particular, face additional barriers due to socio-economic constraints and cultural norms arising from the intersectionality of gender and religion. The objective of this study is to analyze India’s healthcare system, investigate gender disparities in healthcare access, and examine the specific challenges faced by Muslim women. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted healthcare policies and interventions that address the unique challenges encountered by Muslim women in India. This study focuses on the health disparities experienced by Muslim women, with a particular emphasis on how their intersecting identities impact their healthcare access. Empirical evidence from the Varanasi district demonstrates inadequate healthcare access, infrastructure, and outcomes that hinder Muslim women from receiving essential medical care. These disparities are further compounded by societal taboos and cultural norms that limit women’s access to healthcare information and services.