Research reveals that women and girls in South Sudan suffer greater health risks and worsened inequalities due to climate change exacerbated heatwaves. The recent February heat event, intensified by human actions, underscores the need for urgent adaptations in education and healthcare. Experts advocate for immediate action to transition away from fossil fuels, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on women.
Recent research indicates that women and girls in South Sudan are disproportionately affected by the ongoing climate-fueled heatwaves, exacerbating health risks and inequalities in the region. The World Weather Attribution (WWA) group highlighted that February’s extreme temperatures, significantly influenced by human-caused climate change, were made approximately ten times more likely and 2 degrees Celsius hotter than historical averages.
During the recent heatwave, numerous students collapsed due to heat stroke in the capital, Juba, prompting school closures for several weeks. This is the second occurrence of school shutdowns in the country due to extreme heat events occurring increasingly early in the year. Typically, such high temperatures are not expected until later months, underscoring a troubling trend in South Sudan’s climate.
The construction of schools with iron roofs that trap heat further exacerbates the learning environment, as most such institutions lack air conditioning. As high temperatures are anticipated to persist into March, the adverse impacts on education, particularly for girls, become increasingly severe. This situation necessitates urgent action since girls’ education is disrupted and returning to school becomes increasingly difficult.
Women are particularly vulnerable due to persistent gender roles and responsibilities associated with caregiving and household chores, which expose them to extreme heat. The study indicates that these roles might deepen gender inequality in a country already burdened by high poverty levels. Climate scientist Friederike Otto asserts that those already struggling amidst social inequities are more profoundly impacted by climate actions such as fossil fuel burning.
Furthermore, the study indicates that rising temperatures have increased the risk of miscarriages and stillbirths in South Sudan, making childbirth perilous. With a staggering maternal mortality rate, the implications of heatwaves for women’s health are severe. According to Emmanuel Raju of the University of Copenhagen, longstanding social inequities result in women bearing substantial burdens from climate change.
As temperature extremes continually rise, intense heatwaves of 40 degrees Celsius and above are expected; researchers warn that annual occurrences could become a reality as global temperatures continue to rise. The findings call for immediate measures to transition away from fossil fuels to mitigate these dangerous climate effects, particularly for vulnerable populations, particularly women.
The ongoing climate change crisis disproportionately affects women and girls in South Sudan, leading to heightened health risks and educational disruptions. The findings underscore the urgent need for initiatives to combat climate change and address gender inequalities. Increasing awareness and implementing adaptive strategies are crucial to mitigating the adverse impacts of these extreme weather events, as urgent steps are essential to protect vulnerable populations. The evidence presented by researchers emphasizes the importance of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy to alleviate the gender-specific hardships emerging in a rapidly changing climate.
Original Source: www.climatechangenews.com
