Impact of Climate Change on Women and Girls in South Sudan: A Heatwave Crisis
A study from the World Weather Attribution group reveals that women and girls in South Sudan are facing increased health risks due to extreme heat exacerbated by climate change. The report highlights the significant impact of school closures and societal responsibilities on women. Recommendations include improving school infrastructure and changing educational schedules to mitigate disruptions. Without immediate action against fossil fuel emissions, extreme heat events are likely to become more common.
A recent study has revealed that women and girls in South Sudan are disproportionately affected by the ongoing climate change crisis, particularly during the recent heatwave. Conducted by the World Weather Attribution group, the research indicates that February’s extreme temperatures were amplified by human-induced climate change, making the occurrence ten times more likely and approximately two degrees Celsius hotter than it would have been otherwise.
The extreme heat led to dozens of students collapsing from heat stroke in Juba, resulting in schools closing for weeks, marking the second closure during a heatwave in less than a year. Traditionally, such high temperatures are not expected until later in the season, but this year has seen unprecedented early heat, impacting educational continuity.
Many schools in South Sudan feature iron roofs that trap heat and lack air conditioning. Such conditions render classrooms dangerously hot, especially for students enduring prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures. The adverse effects of school closures disproportionately impact girls, who face educational setbacks; meanwhile, women endure heightened health risks due to increased household burdens and high outdoor temperatures.
To mitigate the situation, climate scientist Kiswendsida Guigma advocates for various measures: enhancing ventilation, planting more trees, and implementing lighter colors for school buildings. Additionally, adapting school schedules can further protect educational opportunities during extreme weather events.
The study underscores the existing socioeconomic disparities in South Sudan, which exacerbate the vulnerability of women and girls in the face of climate change. According to lead researcher Friederike Otto, persistent gender roles and societal responsibilities burden women, intensifying their exposure to harmful conditions. She emphasized that as climate change proliferates, existing inequalities worsen for the most vulnerable populations.
Heightened temperatures have severe health implications, including increased risks of miscarriage and stillbirth, making childbirth perilous in a country with already high maternal mortality rates. The research indicates that without the warming of 1.3 degrees Celsius due to human activity, the severity of this year’s heat would have been significantly reduced.
The data suggests an alarming trend of intensified heatwaves, with 40-degree Celsius temperatures now common in South Sudan. Researchers expect heat events exceeding these levels to become more frequent unless there is a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Failure to address climate emissions may push the recurrence of these dangerous heat conditions to a yearly occurrence as warming reaches 2.6 degrees Celsius by 2100.
Sarah Kew from WWA warns that such extreme heat is becoming normalized in South Sudan. “Once rare, these episodes of high temperatures are occurring every two years,” she noted, highlighting the urgent need for climate action to protect vulnerable communities, particularly women, from the escalating climate crisis.
In conclusion, the findings illustrate that women and girls in South Sudan are facing extraordinary challenges as climate change exacerbates health risks and educational inequalities. The study reveals critical links between extreme weather events and social vulnerabilities, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions to reduce these impacts. As the frequency of heatwaves increases, effective action is essential to safeguard the health and well-being of those most affected, particularly women and children.
Original Source: www.climatechangenews.com
