The Link Between Climate Change and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: An Evidence Review

Resources

Climate change &…

Executive Summary

We know that a gender-equal world would be wealthier, healthier, more peaceful, and more
productive. We also know that to realize that vision and reap the benefits of a gender-equal world, we
need to identify and address how interconnected climate change issues and the health and rights of
girls and women are. Gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR),
and climate change issues are inextricably linked. Climate change risks increasing social,
including gender, inequalities. In addition, as global temperatures rise, extreme weather events like
floods, droughts, and heatwaves particularly threaten the health and rights of girls and women. In
turn, gender, sexuality, age, wealth, indigeneity, and race are all determining factors in the vulnerability
to climate change.

While growing evidence proves that climate change issues are not gender neutral, there remain
considerable gaps in related gender-disaggregated data and gender analyses in this space.9 More
specifically, the linkages between climate change and SRHR have received little attention to-date.
However, recognizing these links is key to creating an effective adaptive response to climate change,
while also improving gender equality and access to SRHR services.

This evidence review is designed to be used by decision-makers and climate change, humanitarian,
and gender equality advocates to better understand the linkages between sectors and align
efforts to generate effective policies and programs. Drawing on published literature as well as key
informant interviews, this evidence review explores: (i) the impact of climate change on SRHR and (ii)
the linkages between climate action, including adaptation and mitigation, and SRHR. The evidence
review also explores the evidence through an intersectional lens. Girls and women have numerous
identities in addition to their gender, and systemic discrimination on the basis of these is often
multiple and intersecting. Understanding how compounding crises and intersecting identities shape
vulnerability and resilience to climate change and SRHR is necessary to make sure climate actions do
not exacerbate inequalities.

Click here to read the full report

General Information:

  • Corporate Author: Women Deliver
  • Publication Year: 2021
  • To be published on country nodes: The Netherlands