ISLAMABAD, June 9 — The climate crisis is worsening many of the economic and social inequalities already faced by women and girls, making it harder to access health care, education, employment, and other necessities. Women in rural communities are especially vulnerable because many depend directly on agriculture and natural resources to support their families.
As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, these existing pressures are becoming harder to navigate. The United Nations has noted that the climate crisis is not “gender neutral.” Women, girls, and children are 14 times more likely to die during extreme weather disasters than men, facing higher rates of displacement and structural inequalities that limit their access to information, mobility, and resources. An estimated 4 out of 5 people displaced by the impacts of climate change are women and girls.
The torrential rains in Pakistan in 2022 claimed many lives and affected millions of people, with widespread damage and loss.
This extreme weather condition, resulting from climate change, led to devastating consequences for women. Acute disasters can disrupt essential services, including sexual and reproductive health care, compounding the negative impacts for women and girls.
A sharp rise in extreme weather events is pushing many women and girls into increasingly precarious situations almost overnight.
The climate crisis is affecting women and girls in profound ways, from limiting their access to education and employment to disrupting essential services like health care. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the climate crisis is not “gender neutral” and women, girls, and children are disproportionately affected.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch how governments and organizations respond to the growing crisis and work to support women and girls affected by climate change.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the climate crisis, one thing is clear: the need for a clean and sustainable planet has never been more urgent.
