How women and children are more affected by climate change? Explain.

Women and children are disproportionately affected by climate change due to a combination of biological, socio-economic, and cultural factors. Their vulnerability stems from their roles and responsibilities within households, communities, and societies, as well as from inequalities in access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making power. Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities and inequalities, placing women and children at greater risk of adverse impacts across various dimensions:

1. Health Impacts:

   • Maternal and Child Health: Climate change affects maternal and child health through increased risks of heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, malnutrition, and food insecurity. Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable to heat stress, dehydration, and respiratory illnesses during extreme weather events such as heatwaves, hurricanes, and floods. Limited access to healthcare facilities, prenatal care, and emergency services further exacerbates health risks for women and children in vulnerable communities.

   • Reproductive Health: Climate change can disrupt access to reproductive healthcare services, family planning resources, and maternal health facilities. Natural disasters, displacement, and environmental degradation may disrupt supply chains for contraceptives, maternal healthcare supplies, and emergency obstetric care, leading to higher risks of maternal mortality, unintended pregnancies, and unsafe abortions. Women and girls also face increased risks of gender-based violence, exploitation, and trafficking in the aftermath of disasters and displacement.

2. Food Security and Nutrition:

   • Nutritional Needs: Climate change impacts food security and nutrition by affecting agricultural productivity, water availability, and food distribution systems. Women and children, especially in rural and marginalized communities, bear the brunt of food shortages, malnutrition, and hunger due to their limited access to resources, income, and decision-making power. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and young children are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, leading to stunted growth, developmental delays, and long-term health consequences.

   • Household Food Preparation: Women and girls are primarily responsible for household food preparation, cooking, and caregiving activities, which can increase their exposure to indoor air pollution from traditional cooking fuels such as wood, charcoal, and dung. Indoor air pollution contributes to respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and asthma, affecting women and children's health and well-being. Transitioning to clean cooking technologies, such as improved cookstoves and clean fuels, can reduce indoor air pollution and improve health outcomes for women and children.

3. Water and Sanitation:

   • Access to Clean Water: Climate change affects water availability, quality, and access, disproportionately impacting women and children who are responsible for water collection, sanitation, and hygiene practices within households. Droughts, floods, and water scarcity exacerbate competition for limited water resources, increasing women's workload and time spent fetching water. Lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities poses health risks, including waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, which disproportionately affect children under five years old.

   • Menstrual Hygiene Management: Climate change can exacerbate challenges related to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) for women and girls in vulnerable communities. Limited access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and menstrual hygiene products can compromise women's health, dignity, and socio-economic opportunities. Climate-resilient MHM interventions, including menstrual cups, reusable pads, and community-based hygiene education, are essential for promoting menstrual health and supporting women's well-being in the face of environmental challenges.

4. Displacement and Migration:

   • Climate-Induced Displacement: Climate change contributes to displacement, migration, and forced relocation due to environmental hazards, natural disasters, and slow-onset impacts such as sea-level rise, desertification, and coastal erosion. Women and children constitute a significant proportion of climate-induced migrants and displaced persons, facing heightened risks of poverty, homelessness, exploitation, and violence. Displacement disrupts families, communities, and social networks, exacerbating vulnerabilities and limiting access to essential services and support systems.

   • Protection and Assistance: Women and children displaced by climate change often face additional risks and challenges in accessing protection, assistance, and durable solutions. They may experience heightened risks of gender-based violence, exploitation, and trafficking in transit and destination areas. Strengthening legal frameworks, protection mechanisms, and gender-responsive services is essential for safeguarding the rights and well-being of displaced women and children and ensuring their access to humanitarian assistance, legal aid, and psychosocial support.

In conclusion, women and children are disproportionately affected by climate change due to their roles, responsibilities, and vulnerabilities within households, communities, and societies. Addressing gender inequalities, promoting women's empowerment, and integrating gender-responsive approaches into climate adaptation and mitigation efforts are essential for building resilience, reducing vulnerabilities, and advancing sustainable development for all. By prioritizing the needs and rights of women and children, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders can foster inclusive, equitable, and climate-resilient solutions that benefit entire communities and future generations.