Women at the heart of India’s silent health crisis

On World Diabetes Day, experts spotlight how diabetes affects Indian women differently — from pregnancy risks to social neglect and health inequality

An Indian woman testing her blood sugar at home — symbolising awareness and empowerment (AI Image: Gemini)

Every November 14, the world observes World Diabetes Day, a global call to action against one of the most widespread and misunderstood health conditions.

In India, home to an estimated 101 million people living with diabetes, the crisis cuts across gender, class, and age. Yet, beneath the statistics lies an often-overlooked truth—women face a unique, double-edged challenge when it comes to diabetes.

A growing epidemic with a gendered impact

India is now considered the diabetes capital of the world, and the burden among women is rising sharply. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), nearly 1 in 6 Indian women between the ages of 20 and 70 are at risk of developing diabetes, and many remain undiagnosed until complications arise.

However, diabetes in women transcends a mere metabolic issue; it represents a social, cultural, and reproductive health challenge. In India, family responsibilities, societal expectations, and limited access to healthcare often overshadow women’s health.

“Diabetes in Indian women isn’t just about sugar levels. It’s about gender inequality. Women are often the last to eat, the last to rest, and the last to seek care.” — Dr Ritu Singh, Endocrinologist, AIIMS, New Delhi

Hormones, pregnancy and the unique risks women face

Biologically, women experience hormonal fluctuations that can alter blood sugar metabolism during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. These natural transitions complicate diabetes management.

1. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): One significant issue in India is gestational diabetes, a condition where high blood sugar develops during pregnancy. Studies indicate that nearly 1 in 5 Indian pregnant women experience GDM—one of the highest rates in the world.

If not detected and managed, GDM can lead to complications such as premature delivery, stillbirth, and high birth weight. For mothers, it increases the lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes sevenfold.

Yet, awareness remains alarmingly low. Many pregnant women, especially in rural areas, do not undergo a glucose tolerance test. Cultural stigma surrounding pregnancy complications often keeps them silent.

1. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Diabetes: With urban lifestyles, PCOS has become increasingly common among young Indian women. Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes early in life.
2. Menopause and Metabolism: After menopause, hormonal decline can affect fat distribution and glucose tolerance, often leading to hidden metabolic syndrome. Without regular screenings, many women discover diabetes only when complications like neuropathy or heart disease arise.

The cultural burden: Why women delay their own health

Beyond biology, sociocultural barriers play a defining role. Indian women—especially in middle- and lower-income households—often prioritise their family’s health above their own.

Skipping meals, irregular eating hours, and limited exercise time are everyday realities. Combined with high-carb diets and stress, these habits accelerate metabolic disorders.

“Women in India are taught endurance as a virtue. But endurance becomes dangerous when it delays diagnosis.” — Dr Meenakshi Bhat, Diabetologist, Bangalore

In conservative settings, stigma around illness adds another layer of silence. Diabetes, especially in younger women, can even impact marriage prospects. As a result, early symptoms are often overlooked—until it’s too late.

Urban women and the lifestyle paradox

In cities, the picture looks different but equally concerning. Urban Indian women, juggling careers, families, and stress, are seeing a surge in type 2 diabetes driven by sedentary lifestyles.

Work-from-home routines post-pandemic have worsened inactivity. A 2024 Lancet Regional Health study noted a 30% increase in obesity and prediabetes among urban Indian women under 40.

Factors like irregular sleep, processed food, and digital stress have made diabetes a disease of modern imbalance. Unlike earlier generations, young women now face diabetes not in their 50s, but in their 30s.

Rural women: The hidden crisis

In rural India, the problem is underdiagnosis. Lack of access to medical facilities, poor nutrition, and low health literacy mean that diabetes often goes undetected for years.

Women are particularly vulnerable due to limited financial independence. A 2023 ICMR report revealed that over half of rural women with diabetes had never been tested until hospitalisation for complications.

A community healthcare worker performing diabetes screenings in rural India

Compounded by poor maternal nutrition, anaemia and limited reproductive care, diabetes among rural women often creates a cycle of intergenerational risk—mothers with unmanaged diabetes giving birth to babies predisposed to metabolic disorders.

The emotional weight of diabetes

The impact of diabetes on women isn’t only physical—it’s deeply emotional. Many experience guilt, fear, and isolation upon diagnosis.

Psychologists point out that women with diabetes are twice as likely to experience depression compared to men. Yet, mental health support remains absent in most diabetes care programs.

Holistic management—combining glucose monitoring with counselling, nutrition education, and peer support—remains the need of the hour.

Technology and empowerment: A new hope 

The growing reach of digital health platforms, telemedicine, and wearable devices is empowering women to take charge of their health.

Mobile apps like BeatO, HealthifyMe, and MySugr now offer regional-language support for diet tracking and glucose monitoring.

“Technology can’t replace empathy, but it can bridge the gap between awareness and action—especially for women with limited healthcare access.” — Dr Pramila Joshi, Endocrinologist

Government programs like Ayushman Bharat and POSHAN Abhiyaan are integrating diabetes checks into maternal and child health initiatives—a promising sign of progress.

The way forward: Making women central to diabetes policy

If India is to control its diabetes epidemic, gender-sensitive healthcare must be central to its strategy. Policies must reflect women’s biological and social realities.

Key recommendations:

• Universal gestational diabetes screening in all antenatal programs.
• Community-level education in rural areas about early symptoms and lifestyle changes.
• Workplace wellness initiatives supporting women’s nutrition and stress management.
• Affordable access to continuous glucose monitors and insulin under national insurance schemes.
• Nutrition and health literacy in schools and self-help groups to reduce intergenerational risk.

Empowering women to prioritise their health is not just about equity—it’s a strategic approach.

A call for collective change

As India marks World Diabetes Day 2025, themed “Access to Care: Empowering Women for a Healthier Future,” the message is clear: fighting diabetes requires more than just medicine. It requires a mindset shift.

Every woman deserves early diagnosis, informed choice, and sustained care. Every household must normalise discussions about women’s health.

Because when women thrive, families thrive—and so does the nation.

In closing

Diabetes may be a chronic condition, but it doesn’t have to define a woman’s life. With awareness, care, and empowerment, it can be managed—even prevented.

On this World Diabetes Day, let’s shift focus from fear to understanding, from stigma to strength, and from neglect to empowerment.

India’s fight against diabetes begins not in hospitals, but in homes—when every woman’s health becomes everyone’s priority.

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