International Women's Day:Impact of Climate Change on Women and Girls

Organised by Plan International , Mtoto News and the Civil Society Forum on 14th March 2022.The theme for the convening was \" Gender Equality today for a Sustainable Tomorrow\".

The effects of climate change is having a greater impact on girls and young women. Climate change has resulted in the breaking down of African family structures as many family members migrate for better livelihoods.In Africa , climate change is a matter of survival.Persons with Disability suffer more especially women and girls. Where there are no opportunities to earn a living, families are forced to marry off their girls in order to get some income, as a means to reduce the number of mouths to feed at the household level.

Furthermore, in times of climate crisis such as floods and droughts, there is an increase in violence against children including sexual violence, neglect, and trafficking. Inadequate resources as a result of competition over often scarce resources leads to conflict and the emergence of IDP camps , this enhances vulnerability of women and particularly the girl child. The lack of protective mechanisms and the inherent idleness and anxiety leaves the girl child with scarce options. Some are lured into transactional sex because of poverty and hardships reinforcing the cycle of vulnerability.