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Climate change

Climate Change Exacerbates Vulnerabilities of Women and Girls in Pakistan

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Climate change is having a devastating impact on the lives of women and girls in Pakistan, with extreme weather events like floods and droughts disproportionately affecting their access to reproductive health services and increasing the risk of gender-based violence. Despite the urgency of the situation, the country's public services are not climate-proof, leaving women and girls vulnerable to the worst impacts of climate change.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 8.2 million women were affected during the 2022 floods, with 1.6 million requiring support for gender-based violence (GBV).
  • 77% of respondents faced difficulties accessing reproductive health (SRH) and family planning services, while 71% required GBV assistance.
  • Climate change has "disrupted health services, inadequate psychosocial support, weak enforcement of protection protocols, and cultural stigma" in Pakistan.
  • The report highlights the need for mainstreaming climate, environment, population, and women's issues into national frameworks and updating SRH and family planning inclusion in future Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate action plans.
  • The study surveyed 2767 women from eight climate-vulnerable districts and identified several critical gaps, including weak enforcement of protection protocols and disrupted health services.
  • The report calls for integrating insights into policy and planning frameworks, deepening the discussion on gender and disasters, and ensuring that these issues reach decision-making tables.
  • The climate agenda cannot succeed without securing community rights and safety, emphasized Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal.
  • The findings are a vital contribution to understanding the often-overlooked suffering of women and girls amid climate change, said Dr Sajid Amin Javed, SDPI Deputy Executive Director.

Statistics:

  • 8.2 million women were affected during the 2022 floods (Source: UNFPA "Drought and Deluge: The Silent Sufferings of Women and Girls in Climate Change")
  • 1.6 million women required support for GBV during the 2022 floods (Source: UNFPA "Drought and Deluge: The Silent Sufferings of Women and Girls in Climate Change")
  • 77% of respondents faced difficulties accessing SRH and family planning services (Source: Dr Rafi Amir Ud Din, COMSATS University)
  • 71% of respondents required GBV assistance (Source: Dr Rafi Amir Ud Din, COMSATS University)
  • The report surveyed 2767 women from eight climate-vulnerable districts (Source: UNFPA "Drought and Deluge: The Silent Sufferings of Women and Girls in Climate Change")

Sources:

  • "Drought and Deluge: The Silent Sufferings of Women and Girls in Climate Change" by UNFPA and SDPI
  • UNFPA Deputy Representative in Pakistan, Dr Gulnara Kadyrkulova
  • SDPI Deputy Executive Director, Dr Sajid Amin Javed
  • Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal
  • Dr Rafi Amir Ud Din, COMSATS University
  • UNFPA "Data for Development (D4D)" initiative

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