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Climate Crisis and Women
Health: A Case Study of India |
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| Paper Id :
18335 Submission Date :
07/12/2023 Acceptance Date :
20/12/2023 Publication Date :
25/12/2023
This is an open-access research paper/article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. DOI:10.5281/zenodo.10421376 For verification of this paper, please visit on
http://www.socialresearchfoundation.com/shinkhlala.php#8
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| Abstract |
On a worldwide scale, the climate catastrophe is a great
struggle. The impacts on the ecosystem, income, trade, health, and security of
persons in different facets of the economy are extensive. Climate instability
contributes to elevated temperatures, natural disasters, diseases, water
scarcity, erratic monsoons, ocean acidification, and forest fires. This paper
examines the effects of the climate crisis on women's health to comprehend the
economic and social structure of their daily lives as a consequence of
disasters, along with presenting a theoretical framework with the target of
understanding the burden placed on girls to drop out of their education and
assist their parents with chores at home. Climate change poses a threat to safe
drinking water, health and hygiene, mental disorders, psychological distress,
illnesses that impacts the mother's health, pregnancy through transmitted
diseases, and growing exposure to heat waves, sick building syndrome, and food
insecurity with an unbalanced diet leading to undernourishment. The study is
conducted using secondary data from different sources like World Bank, The
United Nations Framework and Convention on Climate Change, World Health
Organization (WHO), World Meteorological Organization, and The
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This research paper attempts
to analyze that during adverse situations such as droughts, floods, and
pandemics, women are anticipated to change their focus of energy towards the
home and family duties, providing them with a lesser amount of time for
studying, generating a livelihood, training, and education. Climate change
causes hardship and suffering for families, especially in the countryside,
wherein women suffer more than men. The result of the same could be observed on
their unemployment rates. They become perpetrators of sexual and domestic
assault, confront gender disparities, lack the capacity for decision-making and
differentiated powers, have limited mobility through states, and are
vulnerable, impacting their physical, emotional, and mental health. |
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| Keywords | Economy, Health, Climate Change, Impacts, Unemployment, Rural Area. | ||||||
| Introduction | According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), climate change has had a substantial influence on women and will have negative implications. This is especially true in the case of health issues. In India, 47 million women were impoverished, compared to 39 million men. (Sanyukta Kanwal, 2021). Given the situation of inequalities and gender-based discrimination, women's vulnerabilities are exacerbated. The climate catastrophe, like any other disaster, pandemic, or economic insecurity, has a greater impact on women than men owing to unequal power distribution, gender disparity in education, work possibilities, violence, and unequal salary compensation. (UNEP, 2023) In terms of medical accessibility, women are frequently denied treatment or clinicians do not address the specific ailment from which they are suffering. Women are hesitant to speak with doctors about their health concerns, which involve predominantly men, and their situation is frequently overlooked in rural India. They are frequently engaged in domestic responsibilities, her future possibilities are restricted to early marriage. Women in India, particularly in rural regions, sometimes suffer in silence, denied access to decent education: often, their male brothers are educated in spite of women. Parents invest more money in their son's education. They are barred from decision-making, thus their function is limited to cooking and home tasks, taking care of everyone else's needs while forgetting about their own, and suffering in silence inside four walls. A study released on International Women's Day demonstrates the nutritional well-being of adolescent girls and women of childbearing age. Research shows that nearly a billion women are undernourished or have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. (UNICEF, 2023). Prolonged heat exposure intensifies its biological impacts on the human body. In the case of women, it leads to stillbirth, and complications during pregnancy, and younger mothers have more powerful and more severe repercussions. In this study, we will focus on women's health and how it relates to food insecurity as a result of the climate catastrophe in the country of India. |
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| Aim of study |
The aim of this paper is to provide
an outline of the advancement of climate change and the subject matter in
broad. The intent of the writing is to study the impact of the climate crisis
on women's health in the context of India and review the government's policy
involvement to combat climate disasters. |
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| Review of Literature | Charlotta Rylander, Jon Oyvind Odland, and Torkjel
Manning Sandanger (2013) the study was conducted for improved comprehension of the potential
impacts of the climate crisis on women's reproductive health, pregnancy
results, and newborns. The study connects the findings to the Millennium
Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. According to the
study, poor maternal health conditions are responsible for around 3 million
infant deaths and stillbirths each year. During a climatic crisis, women are
deprived of nourishment as well as are confronted by infectious diseases due to
a poor living environment when it comes to cleanliness, sanitation, and water
scarcity. Cecillia Sorensen (2018) the following study was carried to
better comprehend the implications of the Climate Crisis on women's health. The
study identified substantial factors such as poor air quality, heat exposure,
food insecurity, reproductive difficulties in pregnancy, and premature
deliveries. Given their societal, cultural, economic, and biological
differences, men and women are influenced differently. The study went on to
address policy interventions and approaches to reduce climate and catastrophe
risk. Arsheen Qasim (2019) the author concentrated on how the
climate disastrous events impact women in their everyday lives. The study cites
five factors, which are as follows: a higher risk of violence against women and
girls, increased probability of child marriage, they are additionally more
likely to drop out of school, an elevated risk of mortality and disease, which
impacts their work position and jeopardizes their food security. In rural areas,
men are frequently the primary breadwinner and rule their spouses. Furthermore,
in the event of a calamity, they typically depart from their family or go to
cities to earn a living, leaving their families behind at home. Chitrita Sengupta Chaki (2022) the author attempted to investigate
the impact of the Climate Crisis on women's mental health rather than
biological variables. Women make up sixty-five percent of the agricultural
workforce; nevertheless, they are less likely to get help and knowledge on how
to address the situation, making them more prone and susceptible. Numerous
shreds of evidence were presented in the study from Uganda, Haiti, and
Nepal that demonstrated that climatic catastrophes increased cases of child
marriage and financial difficulties, which exacerbated domestic violence. Mrittika
Mallick (2022) the objective of
this research is to collect information regarding the barriers that women
experience while dealing with a climate crisis. They suffer from miscarriages,
yeast infections, and UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) as a result of shifting
temperatures, particularly those who live near the sea or rivers. Climate
change also has an impact on food security, which negatively impacts adolescent
dietary patterns, causing excessive bleeding and menstrual cycles to begin
earlier than usual. Sonja A. Rasmussen and Denise J. Jamieson (2022) the study focuses on climate change and the hazards it poses to human life, particularly women's health, and newborns. The study indicates a variety of negative consequences underlying the climate crisis, such as wildfires. The author explained how smoke exposes pregnant women to toxic fumes, volatile chemicals, and particulate matter, as well as increasing the risk of gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Due to disaster, families frequently travel to other regions in search of a safe place to live, interrupting pregnant women's access to health care and medications, a dynamic atmosphere, deprived of social support, which can have long-term consequences. Taylor Morris (2022) the research project was undertaken to discover the influence of climate change on women's health in the context of pregnancy, and the numerous reasons surrounding that are concerned. Air pollution and severe temperatures are two of them that have elevated the likelihood of lung malfunction and induced the development of asthma in young ones. According to the research findings, exceptionally high temperatures have resulted in stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight. |
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| Main Text | India’s Exposure to Climate Crisis and Gender Disparity Climate change has historically been experienced in various scenarios such
as droughts, storms, rising temperatures creating heat exposure, excessive rain
that causes flooding, cyclones, air and water contamination which ended in
toxic gases along with other volatile substances, water scarcity, and several
more. Women have suffered more as a result of climate change than men since they
rely on their husbands for living and basic requirements. During a crisis, men
are frequently observed migrating to other cities in search of work, whilst
women are tied to home chores. With less education, they tend to have
low-paying occupations with no security and lack knowledge of how to deal with
dreadful scenarios. In India, the majority of women are active in agricultural
operations, yet females have far less access to raw resources than men and no
participation in decision-making, contributing to gender inequality. Food
supply is severely impeded by heavy monsoons or droughts, and most women are
observed prioritizing their husband's health and neglecting their own,
resulting in malnutrition and several other harmful impacts on their health. Effect of Rising Temperatures and Contamination of Air on Women's Maternal
Health Excessive heat in pregnant women can lead to complications such as
stillbirth, early delivery, and low birth weight. Air pollution also causes
lung disorders and has a genetic influence. Asthma can affect both pregnant
mothers and their newborns. Maternal health is critical to the success of a healthy
delivery result. Figure. 1 Impact of Heat Exposure on Health Source: World Health Organization, 2018 The population which is most vulnerable to heat is the elderly, kids and
newborns, pregnant women, outdoor and manual laborers, sportspeople, and the
underprivileged. Gender can have a significant impact on heat exposure. Infectious Illness Transmission is aided by Climate Change Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are
transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles
mosquitoes. (World Health Organization) India represented 83% of projected
cases and approximately 82% of all malaria fatalities in 2020. As per NFHS-5,
about 57 percent of women in India are anemic. Due to the increased risk of
preterm, intrauterine development restriction, and low birth weight, a
substantial percentage of newborns delivered to malaria-infected pregnant mothers
in India are likely to suffer from severe health impairments. These,
furthermore, can become major predictors for numerous chronic illnesses (e.g.,
diabetes, nutritional concerns) in adults. Childhood exposure to malaria is
additionally believed to be an important contributor to low intellect in
infected neonates, with long-term deleterious effects on academic achievement. Figure 2: Prevalence of Malaria in Pregnancy in India Source: Med Journal: Volume 2, Issue 5, 2021 It depicts the geographical locations where major malaria in pregnancy
(MiP) investigations have been undertaken throughout the years (2009-2019). The
frequency of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax among pregnant women in
India is depicted by a bar diagram. Figure 3: Percentage Change (1990-2013) Towards Contribution of
Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases as Determinants of Death for Indian
Women in Climate Crisis Source: ICMR, 2017 The
transmissible, maternal, neonatal, and reproductive disorders that contribute
to fatalities amongst women have fallen from 53% in 1990 to lesser than 30% in
2016. On the contrary hand, chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) have
emerged as the biggest killers of women in India, causing over 65 percent of
all female fatalities in 2016, compared to 38% in 1990. Non-communicable
diseases constitute seven of the top ten causes of mortality. (Global Burden of
Disease (GBD) Study, 2016) Pregnancy
difficulties, such as gestational hypertension, diabetes, and renal damage,
enhance the chance of acquiring NCDs suggesting that the focus should be
widened and a life course plan for dealing with women's health should be
developed. Climate Change's Consequences for Women's Mental Wellness Extreme weather incidents, which are turning increasingly prevalent,
fierce, and intricate as climate alters, may trigger i. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ii. Anxiety iii.Major depressive disorder (MDD) iv. Profound grieving, survivor guilt, vicarious trauma, recovery fatigue v. Suicidal notions Abuse of drugs
Source:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare During a
disaster, pregnant women are more exposed to climate change than men. As a
result, the government should prepare specific strategies and healthcare
personnel to cope with both emotional stress and bodily necessities. Maternal
health should be prioritized to avoid potential damages such as miscarriages
and other diseases. Women's Food
Insecurity as a Result of the Climate Crisis and its Influence on Health The SDG 2 goal
is to 'eliminate hunger, ensure food availability, strengthen nutrition, and
enhance long-term agriculture.' Food security, on the contrary hand, is a
long-forgotten growth target in India. Despite advancements in the economy, the
incidence of malnutrition remains alarming. Climate change, along with its
implications on cultivation, pricing, and security, hampers food security
further. Excessive heat or a shortage of water can impede cultivation, limit
productivity, and have a bearing on irrigation, soil health, and the ecosystem
that agriculture relies on. Natural disasters and water shortages are two
components that influence food security threats. Over a quarter
of Indian women of childbearing years are nutritionally deficient, with a BMI of
below 18.5 kg/m (NFHS 4 2015-16). It is accepted that a severely
malnourished mother would certainly give birth to a hunger-stricken infant,
prolonging the cycle of starvation. (Source: UNICEF). Figure 4:
Women's Education, Maternal Factors, and Premature Development Source: NFHS-3 (2005-06) and NNMB Survey (2012) An examination of data from the National Health and Family Survey-3 (NFHS-3) finds that when women's education levels grow, there is a drop in the percentage of youth marriage, a boost in the mean age of first birth, and a decline in spousal dependence along with violence, as well as a fall in the proportion of women with a low BMI. (Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre, 2015) During pregnancy, women are more exposed to iron deficiency and anemia which induce exhaustion, restrict work ability, and make people susceptible to illness. Women are likely to experience death during delivery and afterward following birth. |
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| Methodology | The purposes and objectives of this
study were achieved by a review and thorough assessment of appropriate journal
documents, books, periodicals, global policy regimes, web pages, and records
from different government agencies. This paper gives a theoretical
examination of the Climate Change discourse, capturing the issue's underlying
philosophy. The study is based on secondary data gathered from various sources,
including the Indian Council of Medical Research, the Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, the World Health Organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, the National Library of Medicine, the World Economic Forum, and
other published reports. |
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| Result and Discussion | Government's Policy Measures in India to Fight the Climate Catastrophe A discussion panel was convened at the ICMR in Delhi in 2017, which
resulted in the conclusion, with medical attention; there is an increasing
agreement on the necessity of emphasizing women's health. It was pointed out
that there is a lack of gender-separated analysis of medical records, which
inhibits an exhaustive understanding of women's medical status. It was highlighted
that we must consider inequalities in access to treatment in the context of
mortality and morbidity information for each state. Men and women die for
numerous causes in different states, and this must be recognized when preparing
for women's health and care administration. Furthermore, there is an imperative
to leverage publicly available health surveillance datasets to develop
gender-specific endeavors to enhance the well-being of women. Additionally, risks associated with pregnancy, such as gestational
hypertension, diabetes, and kidney damage, enhance the risk of developing
non-communicable diseases in affected women and their offspring, implying the
need to extend the priority and develop a life-course approach to dealing with
reproductive health concerns. The round table conversation focused on three critical issues: how to look at women's health comprehensively rather than just intimate and reproductive wellness; how to comprehend and tackle the disparity between the sexes in access to medical attention and treatment; and how to utilize and produce statistics through investigation to encourage a deeper awareness of gender-related health issues. The discussion emphasized the value of advocating for equitable treatment across the fields of job prospects, grants, and guidance for women's healthcare researchers in order to establish more gender-nuanced studies and discoveries. Several Proposed Modifications and Prevention Strategies The NAPCC (2008) offers actions that meet our social and economic interests while providing mutual benefits for dealing with climate change effectively. It outlines a range of initiatives that will work together to enhance the nation's growth, climate change adaptation, and mitigation goals. Several policy structures were put in place to make reparations for the damage caused by climate change in India: Healthcare The main purpose of such endeavors is to track and regulate diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as Malaria, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis, Filaria, and Dengue. Assistance programs additionally supply immediate healthcare assistance during the course of climatic catastrophes, along with the education and training of personnel for these functions. Government initiatives to improve air quality Transportation car emissions are an important contributor to contaminants in the air in metropolitan areas. Steps done to minimize emission include i. The implementation of compressed natural gas (CNG) in urban cities ii. The phasing out of obsolete, pollutant motor vehicles iii. The previously mentioned enhancement of public transit. Some state legislatures offer incentives for the acquisition as well as utilization of electrically powered automobiles. Installation of precipitators with electrostatic charges is essential for thermal power facilities. Contaminating manufacturing factories have been banned or relocated from residential neighborhoods across several cities. Therefore, Healthcare specialists as well as policymakers should address the intersection of sex disparity and ecological catastrophe in order to mitigate the detrimental impacts of climate change on pregnant women. Moreover, women from gender minorities should be involved in decisions and policy mechanisms. This will lead to higher consciousness and help climate modification programs reach greater standards. Future Perspectives Increased prevalence of all of the aforementioned illnesses will necessitate stronger healthcare networks and greater access to treatments for hundreds of millions of children and women over the years ahead. This will pressure future administrations tremendously. As a consequence, climate change could undermine the attainment of MDG 5 for maternal health. Furthermore, climate change could hinder the attainment of MDG 4 - reducing child mortality. |
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| Findings | Recommendations: Women play a crucial part in the way society
responds to climate change, and their engagement at all levels has been
demonstrated to result in improved responsiveness to citizens' demands,
frequently with long-term repercussions. Guaranteed Participation Recognizing
women's roles as carers, knowledge keepers, and strong agents of social change
allows us to implement suitable solutions where they are most needed. They
should be promoted as key participants, with the understanding that bringing
them together with the community will result in better outcomes. Prioritize
Education Investing in women's capacity and ability development will lead to endurance.
Climate change poses gender-specific health risks, which should be addressed in
public health communications. Enhance Health Data and Statistics In India,
there is an urgent need to improve public health surveillance and data
collection. The collection of high-quality data segregated by gender will
provide a better understanding of the gender-climate-health linkages.
Furthermore, wellness data may be linked with farming, climatic, and freshwater
supply data to identify vulnerable areas for predicting and advising grassroots
activities. |
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| Conclusion |
In conclusion, Gender
disparity pertains substantially influences the issues of women's exposure
to climate change hazards, implications on women's health, susceptibility, and
response options. Recognizing these could assist in the implementation and
efficacy of climate change policies on a societal level. Future research using
multiple methods is strongly encouraged to help policymakers respond to climate
change. When establishing and carrying out climate change policies and
initiatives, it is critical to recognize that existing gender imbalance
exacerbates the consequences of climate change on women's health. Initiatives
and regulations must take an integrated strategy and create solutions based on
various gender variables. |
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| References | 1.
Chaki, C. S. (2022). Impact Of Climate Change On Women’s Mental Health.
Rights of Equality - Promoting Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. https://www.rightsofequality.com/impact-of-climate-change-on-womens-mental-health/
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