Increasing natural disasters due to climate change pose great challenges for people around the world. What is less well known: The consequences of climate change exacerbate existing injustices between the sexes and threaten to undo important development successes for girls and women.
War, flood, earthquake: a catastrophe is bad for everyone affected. But for a woman, especially a young woman or girl, the consequences can be particularly dire.
This is especially true in societies in which girls are already disadvantaged compared to their brothers. The “London School of Economics” (LSE) found in a study in 141 countries that boys generally receive preferential treatment in emergency situations.
Natural disasters: boys and men receive preferential treatment
Women and children are 14 times more likely to die as a result of a disaster than men. And young girls are often victims of violence in refugee camps: after the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, the pregnancy rate in the camps tripled, two thirds were unwanted. Human Rights Watch found that many women and girls in Haiti did not seek help after they had been raped because they were ashamed to report what had happened.
But disasters can also result in more child marriages. According to studies in Somaliland, Bangladesh and Niger, families and communities view girls’ marriages as a protective measure during times of disaster.
How can the problems be solved?
For the organisation “Plan International “is the key in education. School not only offers physical protection from sexual assault and exploitation, here the girls can cope better psychologically with the traumatic experiences of a catastrophe.
Interview with Kathrin Hartkopf, managing director of Plan International Germany
Kathrin Hartkopf, Managing Director of Plan International Germany, in Peru
© Alf Berg / Plan International
BRIGITTE.de: What are the special challenges girls face in crisis and disaster situations?
In unmanageable situations – such as after a natural disaster – the risk of sexual violence increases. Girls and women who are housed in emergency camps, for example, are more likely to be victims of attacks. But they are also exposed to the risk of robberies because they have to travel further and further to school or to get water or firewood. Many have children in their teens. A high health risk for them.
Many parents can no longer afford the school fees for all children and give their sons priority. Due to economic hardship, many girls have to leave school early and get married even though they are still minors. Even when food is scarce, girls are left behind. Consequence: Undernourishment and malnutrition often have lifelong effects on them, on their ability to learn, but also on their physical condition.
Why is the situation of girls and women in emergency aid camps particularly dangerous?
On the one hand, girls have to take on considerably more responsibility in emergency situations, for example by having to work more closely and take care of their siblings. On the other hand, their needs count even less in such extreme situations. Even going to the toilet carries the risk of sexual assault for them. That is why it is so important to set up separate latrines and washrooms for girls and women in emergency aid camps. Sanitary facilities must also be illuminated in the evening.
What effects do disasters have on the hygiene of girls and women?
A lack of water affects the girls’ hygiene, especially during their menstruation. They miss classes because they cannot make provision. They often have to walk many kilometers in the heat and without sanitary towels or proper underwear. As a result, many girls prefer to stay at home during their menstrual period and lose touch with school.
How badly are girls and women directly affected by earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters?
Women and children are at a significantly higher risk than men of dying as a result of a natural disaster. When a flood, earthquake, or hurricane comes, women and children are mostly at home. Not only do mothers have to save themselves, they also have to look after their children. And thus provide the first emergency aid on site.
So should girls and women also be involved in disaster risk reduction?
Yes, in any case. Girls and women need to know about escape routes and risks just as much as boys and men: Which part of a village is the first to be in danger of flooding? On the other hand, which areas are safe? Women define church life in many ways. In our disaster risk management projects, we repeatedly experience that girls and young women are very committed and thus also convince others. To do this, however, girls and women must be strengthened in their roles and actively involved in the work. Also on a political level.
How can girls be involved on a political level?
A good example is the survey on the secondary impacts of climate change that 16 young women in Zambia and Zimbabwe carried out in collaboration with Plan this year. The activists interviewed 160 girls and boys between the ages of 14 and 19 in their communities. The focus was on the question of how the indirect consequences of climate change for children, but especially for girls, can be reduced. Based on the results of this survey, the activists at the world climate summit in Glasgow developed a series of detailed recommendations for political decision-makers.
What do the recommendations for adaptation to climate change look like in concrete terms?
For example, they are calling for new schools to be built that can also be reached safely from flood-prone communities. Her suggestions also include better adaptation of the lesson times to the changing seasons and the establishment of satellite schools. These are small offshoots of large schools in which several years are taught by a teacher in a dwarf school. These satellite schools enable girls in remote rural areas to finish school without the risk of long and dangerous journeys to school. They also draw attention to the importance of including the topic of climate change in the curriculum and to develop strategies for adapting to climate change together with the communities.
How can the long-term effects of climate change on girls and women be improved?
For example, Plan International has had wells built in Zambia to reduce the effects of drought. Girls no longer have to walk so far to fetch water. In addition, “dignity kits” were provided. These are packages of sanitary towels, soap and other supplies that girls and young women need during their menstruation – especially when they have limited access to clean water. Over a four-year climate protection project, 400 young women and men are being trained in sustainable agricultural professions.
Which girls’ fates did you meet?
For example, I was very impressed by Marinel, now 22, the daughter of a fisherman from the Philippines. In their homeland, the effects of climate change have been particularly severe for years. Natural disasters are becoming more and more common. Typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 6,000 people in 2013, also completely destroyed their village. The year before, Marinel had taken part in a plan project aimed at strengthening the resilience of the people in the region. There she learned, among other things, together with other young people how to deal with nature and the rights of children – and passed this knowledge on to others. When Typhoon Haiyan struck, Marinel was lucky and was able to get to safety with her family. Their experiences have encouraged them to take action against climate change. Today Marinel is one of the most important climate activists in the world: in 2015 she spoke at the UN climate conference in Paris. We have encouraged them to go this way. Marinel is a good example of how together we can encourage girls and young women to stand up for their rights.
Further information on the children’s aid organization can be found at plan.de