Climate Change Puts African Women’s Health at Risk: Urgent Action Needed

As climate change intensifies, Africa is bearing a disproportionate burden despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. The continent’s rapid warming has led to devastating consequences, from reduced agricultural productivity to widespread displacement. In this scenario, women and girls find themselves on the frontlines of a crisis they did not cause, facing severe impacts on their sexual and reproductive health.

In Sanje, Malawi, Eliza, a 30-year-old mother, exemplifies this crisis. Displaced by Cyclone Freddy, she and her newborn are receiving medical care from UNFPA amidst the ruins of their home. This storm, the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record, wreaked havoc across Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive climate action.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that while Africa’s climate crisis affects everyone, women and girls suffer uniquely. Disruptions caused by extreme weather events lead to increased unintended pregnancies, maternal and newborn deaths, and child marriages. These impacts are exacerbated by the destruction of health services and protective networks that women and girls rely on.

UNFPA, in partnership with Queen Mary University London and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), conducted a detailed analysis of African governments’ climate commitments. The findings are stark: only 17 out of 46 countries have included considerations for sexual and reproductive health in their national climate plans. This omission leaves millions of women and girls vulnerable.

In regions like East and Southern Africa, tropical cyclones are becoming more frequent, spreading diseases such as cholera and damaging healthcare facilities. Yet, only a few national climate plans in this region address sexual and reproductive health comprehensively.

North Africa faces multi-year droughts, forcing many men to migrate in search of work and leaving women to manage households under extreme conditions. Despite recognizing the impacts on health, most countries lack specific initiatives to support women’s health and resilience.

West and Central Africa, plagued by floods, droughts, and desertification, also shows a glaring gap in addressing sexual and reproductive health within climate strategies.

To combat these challenges, governments must prioritize women’s health in climate action plans. Increased global climate finance is essential to support these initiatives. Wealthy countries should provide both financial and technical assistance, facilitating better data collection on how climate change affects women and girls and ensuring health systems are resilient and accessible even in crises.

Women and youth, who are disproportionately affected by climate change, also hold the key to innovative solutions. By including them in climate action discussions, we can harness their insights and drive meaningful change.

The fund established at COP28 in 2023 for climate-related loss and damage offers a beacon of hope. However, this must be accompanied by a significant increase in climate finance from wealthy nations.

By focusing on the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls, we can ensure a future where they are not merely survivors of the climate crisis but active participants in forging a resilient and equitable world.

Location: Sanje, Malawi
Context: Eliza and her newborn are receiving medical care after being displaced by Cyclone Freddy, which caused severe damage in Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Climate Crisis and Impact on Africa:

Africa, despite contributing only 2-3% of global emissions, is severely affected by climate change.
The continent is warming faster than others, leading to reduced crop yields and resource conflicts.
Millions are displaced, making them vulnerable, especially women and girls.

Impact on Women and Girls:

Women and girls face unique challenges in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) due to climate crises.
Disruptions lead to increased unintended pregnancies, maternal and newborn deaths, and child marriages.

UNFPA Report and Findings:

UNFPA, in collaboration with Queen Mary University London and IDRC, analyzed climate commitments of African governments.
The report found that most national climate plans lack considerations for SRH.
Only 17 out of 46 African countries have integrated SRH into their climate plans.

Regional Analysis:

East and Southern Africa: Frequent cyclones, waterborne diseases, and inadequate SRH references in climate plans.
North Africa: Multi-year droughts, migration, and insufficient SRH initiatives.
West and Central Africa: Floods, drought, and minimal SRH considerations in climate plans.

Call to Action:

Governments need to prioritize SRH in climate strategies.
Increased global climate finance is essential.
Data collection on climate impact on women and girls is crucial.
Women and youth should be included in climate action discussions.

Hope and Future Prospects:

The COP28 fund for climate-related loss and damage offers hope.
Wealthy countries must provide financial and technical assistance.
Empowering women and youth can lead to innovative solutions for climate action.

FAQs

Q1: What is the primary focus of the article? A1: The article focuses on how climate change disproportionately affects the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in Africa and the need for global action to address these challenges.

Q2: Why is Africa particularly affected by climate change despite low emissions? A2: Africa's geographical and socio-economic conditions make it more vulnerable to climate impacts like extreme weather, which disrupts livelihoods and communities.

Q3: What specific challenges do women and girls face due to climate change? A3: They face increased risks of unintended pregnancies, maternal and newborn deaths, child marriages, and gender-based violence due to disrupted health services and community networks.

Q4: What does the UNFPA report reveal about African countries' climate plans? A4: The report shows that most African countries' climate plans do not adequately address sexual and reproductive health and rights, with only a few countries including specific initiatives.

Q5: What actions are recommended to address these challenges? A5: Governments should integrate sexual and reproductive health into climate strategies, increase climate finance, collect data on impacts, and involve women and youth in climate action discussions.

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