Fact: Women are stronger than men

Society may have taught us that boys are stronger than girls; that they take more risks; that they are more aggressive; that they protect families.

The above may not be disputable. But did you know that girls survive life's hardships better than boys do? A girl's defence against infections, what boys may consider 'just a tinge of malaria', is more apt.

KNH gynaecologist Stephen Mutiso struck at the heart of the discussion on whether it is possible to conceive a baby of particular sex. The good doctor however, had more to offer.

"At conception, the number of baby boys and girls are nearly the same. However, as time progresses through the pregnancy – and even after birth – a lot more boys die from natural causes compared to girls," he offered. Indeed, a study published last year in the Medical Human Reproduction Journal, reported that girls have better survival rates than men.

The findings revealed that male babies, as a whole, have poorer health results than their female counterparts. Conducted by researchers from Australia's University of Adelaide, the study's aim was to try and unearth reasons why baby girls survive better.

It turned out that male babies grow faster than female babies (while in the womb) hence are larger and weigh more on average. This comes as a negative consequence. According to the researchers, this fast growth and larger size leaves males susceptible to adverse health conditions.

Men, therefore, in all their macho attitude and braggadocio, are the weaker sex. Did you know that male life expectancy in Kenya is 60 years? If you thought that is enough, women, on average, enjoy four more years.

Life in the womb is different compared to life in the terrestrial environment. Factors at play can therefore be argued to be different. However, the weight challenges the boy child experiences in his nascent years seem to bear long term effects. The Australian team recorded that the strain on the placenta can often lead to under-nourishment in the womb. The results show babies' reduced ability to grow and can lower the birth weight, leading to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

In a news release to the media, Professor Claire Roberts, author of the paper said: "Our research has found that there are undeniable genetic and physiological differences between boys and girls that extend beyond just the development of their sexual characteristics."

Across the world, it is only in one country where male life expectancy is higher than that of females. Whether that is by natural design or not only God can tell. But why would men be more culpable to death than women?

Hopefully, science will provide an answer soon.