By Maryam Afolabi
With the increase in global industrialisation, environmental pollution has become a major issue worldwide, with climate change and global warming being major aftermaths.
Even though some countries have been recording more disasters resulting from this menace than others, most Communities around the world are already feeling the impacts of climate change today, with the planet only 0.8 ºC warmer than in pre-industrial times
However, industrialization is not the only cause of environmental pollution, some third world countries especially those in the war zone are exposed to toxicity resulting from war missiles, grenades and bombings that are common during warfare. While Climate change affects health through a multitude of mechanisms, including heat, poor air quality, extreme weather events, disease, reduce water quality, and decrease food security.
Be that as it may, in the struggle for survival the weaker parties are usually at the greater disadvantage. Worldwide, women and children have been recorded to suffer greatly from the adverse effect of climate change, as women have less access than men to resources such as land, credit, agricultural inputs, decision-making structures, technology, training, and extension services that would enhance their capacity to adapt to climate change.
For instance, countries in warzone are often visited by drought and famine, and in such situations, children are less likely to survive, and women who are often mothers spend the little resources available to them to cater for their children which also limits their own chances of survival.
Meanwhile, in Africa, Extreme weather conditions, particularly droughts, drying river basins in southern and eastern Africa, and flooding and rising sea levels in West Africa, have forced many women to migrate, according to a report by the Centre for International Disaster Information.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is the most critical employment sector for women, which has been proven to put them at a greater disadvantage of climate change, especially those who lived in rural areas, poverty-stricken areas or among un-exposed folks. Therefore during drought, women, as agricultural workers and primary procurers, work harder to secure income and resources, such as water, fuel and food, for their families. This was further buttressed by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which noted that women, especially those in poverty, face higher risks and experience a greater burden of climate change impacts.
Climate Change and Risk to Women’s Lives
Climate change can be termed a “threat multiplier”. It fuels conflict as people start fighting over scarce natural resources such as water, food and fuel. It exposes women and girls to all vulnerabilities, including gender-based violence, rape and wild animal attack, child marriage and even human trafficking. For instance, most families in rural parts of African countries have to travel long distances for work or to obtain food, some parents have stopped sending girls to school, so they can help with household responsibilities, whether taking care of the family or sending them instead to either go look for food, water or work. This, in turn, has placed girls and young women at greater risk of sexual violence, exploitation, and abuse.
For instance, in Nigeria, the issue of insecurity is a great catalyst for famine especially in the rural areas where bandits operate, women living in these areas are apprehensive of going to their farms or fetching firewood in the forest for cooking, for fear of been killed or raped by bandits.
Climate Change and Women’s Health
Climate change has been identified as a significant global health threat that is, underpinned by the existing issue of gender inequality.
Women’s Exposures to Climate Change Risks Increase in climate‐related extreme weather events, such as floods, hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, poor air quality and salinity of water, were reported by 20 articles in relation to women’s health, ranging from the year 2002 to 2020.
Women were found to be more affected by temperature extremes such as heat waves which put them at a higher risk of poor maternal health, hypertension and heat exhaustion. Women developed more respiratory conditions, particularly in rural areas where renewable energy was not available, and women used hazardous traditional biomass to cook foods leading to inhalation of toxic pollutants. This is because women that fall into these categories usually spend their daily activities mainly on domestic duties with little or no help from technology.
For instance, women who cook with firewood and kerosene stoves are exposed to flames and fumes which makes them susceptible to respiratory and cardiovascular disease due to a greater proclivity for higher deposition of particulate matter in lung tissue and higher rates of anaemia and sometimes cancer. Also, Women have distinct health needs, such as nutritional demands during pregnancy, which places them at risk of suffering from climate-sensitive diseases. Birth outcomes and infant health are also affected due to the impact of climate change on maternal health, resulting in higher healthcare needs.
Furthermore, In some uncivilized communities, the patriarchal system has enhanced gender discrimination and violence against women especially during drought and famine. Women were expected to be the last household members to eat, allowing the males in the family and the children to eat first.
Meanwhile, adolescent girls, along with children under the age of five, are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, which has significant impacts on brain development and undermines educational attainment, health, and ability to earn a living.
Possible Solutions
According to experts Nation leaders need to harness humanitarian resources and synchronise with Nongovernmental organisations to provide women with education about using renewable resources as a way of decreasing women’s exposure to hazardous air pollutants during cooking times.
Women should also be encouraged to develop resilience, advocate for their rights, freedom of speech and equal involvement in decision-making at a national level was also a reported mitigation strategy.
Additionally, Governments should prioritise women’s needs and provision to ease their challenges must be reflected in the development planning and funding. Women should also be part of the decision-making at national and local levels regarding the allocation of resources for climate change initiatives. It is also important to ensure gender-sensitive investments in programmes for adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and capacity building.
Governments should also create evidence‐based policy-making to protect women’s and children’s health in changing climate.
Also Since it has been established that women play a crucial role in agriculture as 60% of them comprise the Global South’s agricultural workforce they should be given more access to ownership of land. Despite their enormous role in agricultural production, women own less than 20% of the world’s land. Having access to increase ownership of land is key to helping women cope with the effects of climate change, and to allow them to support their families.
Maryam Afolabi writes from Ilorin, you can reach her on
08130047863
maryamoyin@gmail.com
