Smallpox vaccination in colonial Bengal: Exploring male/female disparities (1887-1898)

What is it about?

This article explores why men and women in colonial Bengal did not receive smallpox vaccinations equally during the years 1887 to 1898. Using archival records, government reports, and district-level vaccination data, the study shows that women were consistently vaccinated less often than men. This gender gap was not simply a medical issue—it reflected deeper social, cultural, and administrative challenges in colonial society. Several factors contributed to this inequality. Social norms restricted women’s mobility outside the household, making it difficult for them to reach vaccination centres. Cultural expectations around modesty made many families reluctant to allow male vaccinators to examine or touch women’s arms. In many rural and orthodox communities, vaccination was considered intrusive or unsafe, and such fears affected women more strongly than men. The colonial administration also failed to recruit enough female vaccinators who could have helped overcome these barriers. By comparing different districts, the study shows that places with better local administration, greater missionary activity, or more female health workers had slightly narrower gender gaps. However, no district achieved full equality. The findings reveal how gender, colonial governance, and public health policies intersected to shape people’s access to life-saving medical care. This research helps us understand why some communities resisted vaccination and how gender roles influenced health outcomes. It also offers broader lessons for today: public-health programmes are more successful when they consider cultural practices, ensure women’s access to care, and invest in gender-sensitive health services. In this way, the history of colonial Bengal provides insights that remain relevant for global vaccination strategies today.

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Photo by Alex Gruber on Unsplash

Photo by Alex Gruber on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Understanding the gender gap in smallpox vaccination in colonial Bengal is important because it shows how social norms, cultural restrictions, and administrative failures can limit people’s access to life-saving healthcare. The study reveals that women were left more vulnerable to disease, not because of medical reasons, but because of gendered barriers that prevented them from being vaccinated. These historical patterns help explain why similar gaps still appear today in many parts of the world during vaccination drives, including for COVID-19, polio, and HPV. By uncovering how gender inequality affected public-health campaigns in the past, this research highlights the need for more gender-sensitive policies, better outreach to women, and improved trust between communities and health workers. In short, the article shows that effective public health must address social inequalities—not just medical challenges.

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