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In Kenya, the impacts of climate change disproportionately affect women and girls. As they depend heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods, the scarcity and degradation of these resources due to climate change pose significant challenges.
Limited access to food, water, and fuel puts additional burdens on women, especially during periods of drought and erratic rainfall. Consequently, girls often have to leave school to help their families cope with these challenges.
Moreover, climate change exacerbates existing gender inequalities and exposes women and girls to various vulnerabilities. The escalating conflicts and social tensions resulting from climate change increase the risks of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, human trafficking, and child marriage. Women and girls become more susceptible to these forms of violence as their safety and security are compromised.
In the aftermath of climate-related disasters, women face higher mortality rates and are more prone to injuries. This disparity stems from long-standing gender inequalities that limit their access to vital information, mobility, decision-making power, and resources.
Consequently, women and girls find it harder to access relief and assistance, which further jeopardises their well-being, livelihoods, and recovery. This perpetuates a cycle of vulnerability to future disasters.
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The health of women and girls in Kenya is also at risk due to climate change. Limited access to healthcare services and increased risks related to maternal and child health compound the challenges they face. Extreme heat contributes to a higher incidence of stillbirth, while the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus, which are influenced by climate change, poses significant threats to maternal and neonatal health outcomes.
To address these intersecting inequalities, it is crucial to develop inclusive climate change policies and programs that recognize and respond to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of different groups of women and girls in Kenya.
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