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Brenda Rumutsa

AS climate change escalates, its impacts reverberate across every aspect of life, often revealing and deepening existing vulnerabilities.

Far from being solely an environmental issue, the climate crisis profoundly affects women and girls disproportionately as they bear the brunt. Environmental disruptions such as droughts, floods, heatwaves and resource shortages intersect with fragile health systems and exacerbate inequalities.

These challenges not only threaten fundamental rights but also intensify the strain on women and girls. Among the many consequences of the climate crisis, its impact on sexual, reproductive health and rights (SRHR) emerges as an overlooked issue, yet a critical area requiring focused attention and proactive solutions.

Erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts and devastating floods not only disrupt livelihoods but also severely hinder access to essential sexual reproductive health (SRHR) services, particularly in vulnerable communities. In rural areas, where healthcare infrastructure is already fragile and resources are limited, climate-induced disruptions have made accessing vital services like contraception, maternal care and menstrual products increasingly challenging.

Healthcare facilities, already struggling to meet the demands of a growing population, are facing additional burdens due to climate change. Damaged infrastructure, for example washed-out roads makes the facilities inaccessible, while water-borne diseases from water shortages and heat-related illnesses further overwhelm these overstretched systems.

Women in areas affected by prolonged droughts often bear the burden of securing water for their families, a task that can require walking long distances to reach dwindling water sources. This burden becomes severe, especially for pregnant women, who face the added risks of physical exhaustion, heat stress and dehydration. These conditions, combined with limited access to antenatal care, significantly heighten the chances of pregnancy complications, including pre-term labour and miscarriages.

For many, the lack of healthcare facilities nearby means they must endure these challenges without the critical medical support needed to ensure safe pregnancies and deliveries.

Food insecurity, a growing consequence of climate change, adds further risks to maternal and child health. Extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods and erratic rainfall, are severely impacting agricultural productivity both in terms of quantity and quality, leading to widespread malnutrition.

In food-insecure parts of the country, pregnant women often face difficulties accessing the balanced and nutritious diets essential for their health and the proper development of their babies.

Inadequate nutrition increases the risk of complications like anaemia and other pregnancy-related health issues, while also contributing to low birth weights in new-borns. These low birth weights can have lasting effects on the child’s survival and development, posing long-term challenges for both the mother and child.

Poverty, amplified by the effects of climate change, also restricts access to basic necessities, such as menstrual hygiene products, which further disrupts girls’ education. Many girls miss school for several days each month because they cannot afford menstrual products, an issue that underscores the intersection of poverty and gender inequality. The absence of safe and affordable menstrual hygiene solutions forces many to resort to unsafe alternatives, which heightens the risk of infections and other health problems.

sanitary pad

This inability to manage menstruation safely fosters a sense of exclusion, undermines their dignity and limits their future opportunities. Reusable menstrual products have been identified as a sustainable solution that addresses both immediate health needs and environmental concerns.

However, widespread adoption of these products faces significant barriers, including uneven access and logistical challenges. In dry areas, for example, water scarcity makes cleaning reusable pads impractical. Grassroots programmes that train women to manufacture reusable pads are promoting economic empowerment and improving menstrual health.

However, to ensure long-term impact, these efforts require strong policy frameworks and comprehensive public awareness campaigns. Such initiatives are essential for educating communities on the safe and effective use of reusable pads, ultimately maximising their benefits while minimising potential harm.

The impacts of climate change worsen existing challenges in education and economic stability, particularly in rural and impoverished areas. Economic hardships driven by climate-induced disasters and resource scarcity often compel families to prioritise immediate survival over long-term investments in education and healthcare.

This reality exceptionally affects young girls, who are frequently forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints. In many cases, economic pressures stemming from climate change lead to early marriages as a coping strategy, depriving girls of education and perpetuating cycles of inequality and poverty. Early marriage not only halts their academic progression but also exposes them to increased risks of health complications, limited economic opportunities, and diminished autonomy.

Additionally, climate migration exacerbates the SRHR crisis as people move to overcrowded urban areas with already limited healthcare services. Separated families often face heightened emotional and economic challenges. The risks of sexual violence and unplanned pregnancies are heightened in dismantled families as well as the possibility of some women and girls ending up engaging in transactional sex to cope with financial strains.

Furthermore, care-giving responsibilities fall on women, leading them to deprioritise their health needs, which entrenches their vulnerabilities. Mental health challenges are also on the rise as the trauma of displacement and unmet health needs compound stress.

To address these climate change-SRHR interconnected challenges, we must adopt a comprehensive approach that embeds SRHR considerations into climate change adaptation strategies. Future strategies must guarantee consistent access to contraception, maternal care and menstrual health products even during and after disasters strike.

Local initiatives that are already addressing these gaps provide valuable lessons and should be scaled up with robust support and funding.

The interlinkage between climate change and SRHR is more than a health issue — it is a call to uphold rights, equality and resilience. Men have a critical role to play by making thoughtful autonomous adjustments and fostering shared responsibilities within households and communities.

Creating supportive environments for women and girls can significantly ease the burdens brought about by climate change, ensuring that they are better equipped to adapt and thrive.

Addressing these challenges together ensures that they are not left behind as the country navigates an uncertain climate change future, ultimately contributing to resilience and more inclusive societies.