Climate change versus women’s health

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Mai AbouShloua, currently a fourth-year medical student in Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT). She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Being in the 21^st century, where urbanization and digitalization are taking over our lives, climate change has been continuously a pivotal global priority. However, here comes the question: are the measures done sufficient to combat its deleterious consequences? Apparently, the problem seems to affect both genders equally, which is sheerly untrue. 

Without any bias, women are the cornerstone of the society as they foster new generations by securing their basic life needs, including food, clean water source and a warm shelter. Drastic weather alternances, specifically in LMICs such as India and Bangladesh, disrupt the normal rhythm of their lives, risking their sexual and reproductive health. For example, floods or droughts or wildfires can cause them to migrate to areas, where healthcare facilities are not in proximity. Respectively, they lack the proper medical support.

Conditions may become worse in case of pregnancy as appropriate antenatal care would not be given. Pregnancy on its own is considered stressful for the female’s body attributed to the physiological changes in hormones, increasing the blood viscosity that leads to dehydration. For, pregnant women should be under meticulous observation so that the mothers are protected and the babies are born healthy with no complication such as low birth weight and premature rupture of membranes. These complications pose risks to congenital anomalies that persists for life or can even cause retardation in terms of growth or mental status. These children would have a poor quality of life and become a burden for their families that barely suffice the basic life needs. The other scenario is that the relentless exposure of mothers to air pollutants from car exhaust, water pollutants and insects being vectors to diseases such as malaria quadruples the risk of pregnancy failure in form of spontaneous abortion or stillbirth.

If you pondered a little, you will find out that climate change is a vicious cycle and it evolutes with generations; it is in fact multisectoral as it does not only affect our health and finance on a personal level, but also it affects us on a global level regardless of the socioeconomic status of the countries. The suffering is universal. Therefore, all efforts need to be unified regardless of our sex, religion, colour or ethnicity.

The main focus here was on women and their health as they are often overlooked by the society though their contribution is immense worldwide. According to the WHO, in 2002, a total of 1.3 billion people in LMICs live below the poverty line,70% of whom are females who strive to live with their children. On the other hand, men rely on women for the life expenses, minimally contributing to their household either psychologically or financially.

As youth, we voice that it is imperative that policy-makers invest in climate change in order not only to protect women’s health but the one health. Moreover, women should be more involved in decision-making, finding solutions to limit climate change for an equitable, equal and just society.

About the author

Mai was born in 2005 in Egypt. She is currently a fourth-year medical student in Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT). She is fond of advocacy, global health and diplomacy. This year, it was her very first time to attend the World Youth Day and meet the Director-General of the WHO-Dr Tedros and the passion-driven youth for a better sustainable future. She aspires to work in WHO one day. For now, she is keen on being part of the coming World Health Assembly. Additionally, she loves to explore the world.