Climate Change and Women Health Vulnerabilities: Towards Mitigation and Response

Abstract

Climate change affects all genders in myriad ways and causes catastrophic health hazards. While no one is safe from this unfolding risks, women are already disadvantaged and become most affected by climate change. Poor air quality, contaminated water, food insecurity, spread of vector borne diseases, disruption of sanitation and rising temperature etc. have overwhelming negative health impacts on women, especially on the reproductive health. Furthermore, climate policies in India lack gender sensitivity because of low awareness making women health more vulnerable. With this backdrop, the current paper has identified key areas of vulnerability among females due to their biology and the existing socio-cultural factors. In addition to the existing issues women are less likely to have accessibility of the resources to enjoy their fundamental health rights. There fore the current paper discuses better strategies for mitigation and response to climate change with the active participation of women, families and the whole community. After looking at various findings the paper concludes the need of the gender sensitive approach in the process of mitigation and response.