By Ashutosh Kaushik & Debanjana Choudhuri
Over the last few decades, climate change has disturbed India’s social and economic structure and is gradually impacting our everyday lives. A report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents a comprehensive summary of effective strategies to both reduce and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It is imperative to note that the effects of environmental stress and climate-related disasters fall disproportionately on women and girls. This intricate connection between seemingly unrelated global concerns becomes more obvious when one studies the intersections of climate justice and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
The climate crisis is underpinned by grave injustices, with those who contributed the least to the climate crisis suffering the most from its consequences, with limited access to the resources that are needed for adaptation. This includes the inability to maintain good health and safeguard human rights. The two issues, although address different aspects of human well-being, are bound by common principles and shared impacts that underscore the importance of addressing them in tandem.
Incorporating the Gender Lens
Gender inclusion in climate policymaking has now become the need of the hour. However, women continue to have a limited impact on policymaking. Pregnant women are particularly at risk due to climate change, facing an increased risk of miscarriage, early labour, and pregnancy complications that could lead to illness, injury, or death. Adolescent girls experience increased risk of child marriage, early sexual debut along with pregnancy & STIs. The time immediately before, during, and after extreme weather events, is when access to care for contraception, pregnancy and abortion is most compromised.
Both SRHR and climate justice are rooted in principles of equity and equality at their core, both issues fall within a human rights context. SRHR recognises an individual’s right to make informed choices about their reproductive health and to have access to necessary services. Marginalised communities and women often withstand the worst of both climate change and SRHR disparities and the current climate crisis is rendering it harder to advance sexual rights which is deepening inequality. Additionally, it is believed that women’s resistance to climate-related changes is hampered by their restricted access to SRHR.
At Foundation for Reproductive Heath Services India; teams travel to most hard-to-reach areas in bitter cold and sweltering summers to provide crucial SRH services. Teams fight temperatures as high upto 47 degrees Celsius in Barmer/Churu areas and a low of -1 as well. In Bihar, annual flooding pose a huge challenge to provide contraception and safe abortion services. Women, who are unfairly bearing the burden of contraception; have to brave climate extremes to access contraception methods; climate inaction and SRHR has a direct linkage in this respect.
Therefore, the implementation of SRHR is essential for boosting resilience and enhancing the ability of disadvantaged individuals and communities to adjust to the disproportionate effects of climate change.
Need for Emphasis:
Climate justice is a concept that addresses the fair division and equal distribution of gains and burdens of climate change and the responsibilities that come along with dealing with the changes. The unequal burden of suffering often falls upon the most vulnerable communities. Thus, ensuring access to quality reproductive healthcare services is paramount. Empowering women through education, economic opportunities, and leadership roles fosters resilience in the face of SRHR and climate change impacts. By placing more agency in the hands of women, we should try and improve to equip communities to address these dual challenges heads-on.
Climate adaptation strategies should have gender-inclusive approaches. Women’s priorities and needs must be reflected in the development planning and funding. They need to be part of the decision making at national and local levels regarding allocation of resources for climate change initiatives. Understanding the distinct vulnerabilities of women and marginalized groups ensures that adaptation efforts are both effective and inclusive. It is also important to ensure gender-sensitive investments in programmes for adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and capacity building.
The intertwining of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and climate justice demands a multifaceted approach to reduce incidents and alleviate suffering. Key actions include education and awareness, equitable healthcare access, women’s empowerment, climate-resilient infrastructure, community engagement, holistic policies, targeted research, collaborative advocacy, gender-sensitive adaptation, and strengthening legal frameworks. By recognizing the interconnections and taking concerted action, we can forge a path towards a more equitable and sustainable future.
(The authors are Ashutosh Kaushik, CEO, MSI Reproductive Choices-India (FRHS India) and Debanjana Choudhuri, Director-Programs and Partnerships, MSI Reproductive Choices-India (FRHS India). Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of the FinancialExpress.com.)
