How climate change is denying sex workers access to sexual and reproductive health services
Page Contents
Sex workers and climate change
A report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says that events such as extreme storms make it difficult for women to access sexual and reproductive health services, leading to increases in child marriage, gender-based violence, unintended pregnancies and risk of maternal death.
“During climate emergencies, we often witness a disruption of service deliveries,” says Angela Baschieri, population dynamics adviser at the UNFPA East and Southern Africa regional office.
This abrupt disruption usually blocks women and vulnerable communities such as sex workers from essential health services as family planning and condoms.
“This includes access to health facilities for childbirth, access to family planning and other lifesaving interventions. These impacts are particularly important to the less fortunate and the vulnerable.”
Sub-Saharan sex workers lives
Women and girls in African countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Uganda, already hit hard by climate change, often suffer devastating impacts from cyclones and severe drought, says Baschieri.
Also Read: Sex during coronavirus: New trends emerge
In Mozambique, following Cyclones Idai and Kenneth in 2019, UNFPA-led assessments showed increased risks for women and girls, including gender-based violence.
“Many women were separated from family and community networks and had lost their livelihoods and support systems,” Baschieri says. “Girls, who are unable to attend school if they are displaced, for instance, risk being married off early by parents who can no longer afford to look after them if they have lost their livelihoods.”
Women’s sexual health sacrificed
The report reviewed key climate change documents known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and evaluated how gender and health issues, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, were considered in national climate action frameworks, plans and strategies.
The review reveals critical gaps in countries’ national climate policies and proposes adaptation measures to respond to the impact of climate change on women and girls, offering hopes of achieving good health and gender equality.
Researchers assessed 50 NDCs from five UNFPA regions: the Arab States, Asia and Pacific, Western and Central Africa, East and Southern Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
1241
FR