Genders equality issue

Context: Recently, a data compiled by GlobalHealth5050, an independent research initiative that tracks gender and health, suggest that the gender-split in all countries is roughly 50-50, barring two exceptions: India and Pakistan. 72% of our neighbour’s 4,004 cases have been confirmed in men.
Key Points of Data

• Men in India more than women likely to test positive for COVID-19.
• Another unusual exception was South Korea — the country that has conducted the maximum number of tests as a proportion of population — in that more women tested positive than men.
• GlobalHealth50/50 is an independent research initiative that tracks gender and health. It compiled data from almost 40 countries on Covid-19 cases.
• Many countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, do not have sex-segregated national data while publicising data on cases and death rates.
• As per Data Analysis (% of men out of total cases): Greece- 55%; Italy- 53%; China- almost 51%(February data); India- 76%; Pakistan- 72%; Germany- 50% and South Korea- 40% (more women positive)
• India has not shared national figures on Covid-19 mortality rates in men and women yet. However, on April 6, 2020, the Health Ministry said 76% of the confirmed cases in India were men.

Reasons behind this variation

• Epidemiologists have highlighted that in most countries men and women equally travelled internationally.
• Indian case is reflective of employment trends also. There are less working women and very less are likely to travel internationally for work.
• India’s wide disparity is more likely due to sociological factors.
• Global research on coronavirus so far has shown that men are more likely to be harbouring additional ailments like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and more likely to smoke.