Impact of Climate Crisis on females

The Supreme Court has recently declared that the right to a clean environment is a fundamental right under the right to life according to Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Impact of Climate Crisis on females:

• They are more vulnerable to health risks due to poverty, cultural norms, gender roles, and violence, especially during climate-related stress like droughts, and pregnant women are at higher risk of complications such as preterm birth and stillbirth during heatwaves.
• Many women in rural India, whose primary livelihood is agriculture, face increased food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies due to climate-driven crop yield reductions.
• Changes in water cycle patterns from climate change exacerbate challenges in accessing safe drinking water, mainly affecting the health and productivity of women and girls, with those in drought-prone districts more likely to be underweight, experience more violence, and have a higher prevalence of girl marriages according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4 & 5.
• According to the UNDP (UN Development Programme), women and children are 14 times more likely to die in a disaster than men.
• Environmental stressors can disrupt girls’ education by pulling them out of school to help with chores or support their families.
• Climate impacts may increase workloads for women in maintaining households and securing water, food, and fuel, which limits their capacity to engage in education or employment.
• Climate change can heighten resource conflicts or civil unrest, making women particularly vulnerable to increased risks of violence, exploitation, and abuse.

Exposure to both indoor and outdoor air pollutants increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, primarily affecting the health of women and children