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The link between climate change and sexual, reproductive health and rights

Published : Saturday, 27 July, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1084
Farhana Naznin
Gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and climate change issues are inextricably linked. Climate change risks increasing social, including gender, inequalities. In addition, as global temperatures rise, extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves particularly threaten the health and rights of girls and women. In turn, gender, sexuality, age, wealth, indigeneity, and race are all determining factors in the vulnerability to climate change.

Maternal Health Risks: Climate change can increase the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth. For example, extreme weather events like floods and droughts can disrupt healthcare services, making it difficult for pregnant women to access prenatal and postnatal care. Additionally, heat stress and poor air quality can directly impact maternal and fetal health.
Nutrition and Food Security: Climate change affects food production and distribution, leading to malnutrition, which is particularly detrimental to pregnant and lactating women. Malnutrition can result in low birth weight, stunted growth, and increased maternal mortality.
Access to Water and Sanitation: Water scarcity and contamination due to climate change can increase the prevalence of waterborne diseases. Lack of clean water and sanitation facilities can also complicate menstruation management, leading to infections and reproductive health issues.

Increased Vulnerability to Gender-based Violence: Economic instability and displacement can make women and girls more vulnerable to human trafficking and exploitation, including forced marriages and sex work, further endangering their health and rights.

Disruption of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services: Extreme weather events can damage healthcare infrastructure, disrupt supply chains for contraceptives, and limit access to reproductive health services. This can lead to increased rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In the wake of natural disasters, reproductive health services are often overlooked in emergency response efforts. 
However, the need for family planning, maternal health services, and STI treatment persists and even intensifies during crises.

Migration and Urbanization: Climate-induced migration can change population dynamics, impacting the availability and accessibility of SRHR services. Urban areas may face increased pressure to provide adequate healthcare to growing populations, while rural areas may experience shortages of healthcare providers.

Changing Fertility Patterns: Economic and environmental stresses linked to climate change can influence family planning decisions, potentially leading to changes in fertility rates. 

Access to contraception and reproductive health education is crucial to allow individuals to make informed decisions about their reproductive lives.


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