UNITED NATIONS, July 12 (IPS) – Droughts, cyclones, floods and extreme temperatures – these are the “new abnormalities” of a world where weather-related events are becoming longer, more intense and more frequent.
Although Africa is responsible for only 2 to 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and is the least responsible for the global climate emergency, the continent has become the epicenter of the global climate emergency.
Africa is warming faster than other parts of the world, resulting in lower harvests and conflict over scarce resources such as water and farmland. Millions of people continue to be displaced as their homes and livelihoods are destroyed by extreme weather events. Once separated from the communities that sustain them, they become more vulnerable.
While this series of crises affects almost everyone, women and girls are being hit differently and disproportionately – especially when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health. The communities and networks they rely on for family planning and maternal care, and for protection from gender-based violence, are being disrupted by extreme weather events. What follows is a spike in unintended pregnancies, maternal and newborn deaths, and child marriages.
This unprecedented toll that climate emergencies are taking on the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls is occurring across Africa, causing untold suffering. Poor, vulnerable women and girls in at-risk countries are needlessly put in grave danger – while a safe and prosperous future could be secured.
It starts with recognizing that women and girls are on the frontlines of a crisis not of their own making, and that it will take strong commitments, backed by significant global climate finance, to protect their sexual and reproductive health.
In this context, UNFPA, the United Nations agency for sexual and reproductive health, in collaboration with Queen Mary University London and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), has launched an analysis of governments’ climate commitments, capturing the realities and unique needs of different regions in Africa.
The analytical report, Taking stock: sexual and reproductive health and rights in climate commitmentsincludes three sub-regional reports – one for East and Southern Africaone for West and Central Africaand one for Middle East and North Africa. Each presents a detailed analysis of countries’ climate plans and commitments under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.
UNFPA’s analysis of 46 African countries’ climate plans shows that considerations for women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health are absent from the vast majority of published climate commitments. Only 17 countries have integrated sexual and reproductive health and rights into their national climate plans.
The impacts of extreme heat and climate change are undeniable. There is an increased risk of stillbirth; rising food insecurity threatens maternal and newborn health; and climate-related displacement exposes more women and girls to gender-based violence (GBV), including harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation. These vulnerabilities are exacerbated in the African context, which is among the most vulnerable to climate change in the world.
Climate change-induced tropical cyclones are becoming more common in East and Southern Africa, spreading waterborne diseases such as cholera, damaging hospitals and threatening women with complicated pregnancies.
Yet, only 8 of the 19 national climate plans contain references to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and GBV. And where they are referred to, they are usually limited to maternal and newborn health, HIV/AIDS and GBV – and are rarely supported by specific programme actions and budget lines.
In North Africa, prolonged droughts are threatening the livelihoods of millions of people, forcing many women to become household heads, while men are more likely to migrate in search of economic opportunities.
While most countries refer to the impacts of climate change on sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence, only a few countries outline specific initiatives aimed at strengthening resilience to climate change through the provision of sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence services.
West and Central Africa are facing increasing flooding, extreme drought, heavy rainfall and desertification, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities, including climate-related conflict and reduced access to natural resources, which impacts food security.
Yet, only 6 of the 22 national climate plans address SRHR and GBV, with references to maternal health, menstrual hygiene and GBV. Even then, most of these countries have not supported this with meaningful action plans – a shortcoming that needs to be addressed.
“Governments should ensure more adaptive measures to raise awareness of climate change among women and girls, while putting in place safety nets to ensure they continue to have access to sexual and reproductive health services even in times of climate events and displacement,” said Fatou Jeng, founder of Clean Earth Gambia.
This youth-led climate organisation has mobilised thousands of Gambian youth to build resilience in marginalised and vulnerable communities to climate change.
It is critical that countries prioritize sexual and reproductive health and rights in their climate commitments and strategies. Protecting vulnerable populations is a moral imperative and a human rights issue, and must be urgently pursued alongside efforts to reduce emissions.
But while global efforts are not keeping pace with the increasing scale and speed of climate impacts, there is hope on the horizon. The fund established at COP28 in 2023 to respond to climate-related loss and damage can and should provide much-needed funds and resources to African countries at risk.
In addition, wealthy countries can and should significantly increase global climate finance so that women and young people can prepare for a future of climate shocks.
Greater access to financial and technical assistance from wealthy countries can facilitate better data collection on the impact of the climate emergency on women and girls in Africa, so that programs can help those who need it most. It can also strengthen health systems so that they are climate-resilient and ensure that services are more mobile, supplies are pre-positioned and adequately staffed.
Africa has one of the most demographically diverse populations in the world, including the world’s youngest population. It has a key ally when it comes to climate action: it is women and youth who are being affected by climate change.
“NDC discussions are usually confined to government boardrooms, but the proposals that emerge from them impact youth and render women, especially those with disabilities, invisible and marginalized,” said Imali Ngusale, Kenyan from the UNFPA Joint Youth Working Group on SRHR and Climate Change. Given the opportunity and a seat at the climate table, women and youth offer a wealth of innovative solutions.
It is vital to put the sexual and reproductive health of women, girls and young people at the heart of climate action. By mobilizing a global community of stakeholders, governments and climate financiers, the world can deliver climate action and climate justice to protect the planet.
Angela BaschieriPhD, is UNFPA’s technical lead on climate action
IPS UN Office
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© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
