Kenyan Women Bearing the Cost of Climate Change.

Elizabeth M Allen,Julie R Henderson,Leso Munala

doi:10.3390/ijerph182312697

Elizabeth M Allen, Julie R Henderson + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312697

Copy DOI

Abstract

Climate change-induced crises can aggravate intimate partner violence (IPV); the loss of income when weather affects the agricultural industry can exacerbate violence at home. In Kenya, climate change has increased precipitation during the rainy season and raised temperatures during the dry season, resulting in floods and droughts. For 75% of Kenyans, agricultural activities are their primary source of income. This research aims to assess patterns in IPV and severe weather events (SWE). We examined Integrated Public Use Microdata Series-Demographic Health Survey (IPUMS-DHS) data from 2008 and 2014 for IPV severity and frequency. We used Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) data along with GPS coordinates to identify SWEs (defined as any flood >10 days) by county in Kenya. Overall, women were more likely to experience IPV if their spouse worked in agriculture (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.10–1.36). There was a 60% increase in the odds of reporting IPV in counties that experienced an SWE as compared to counties that did not experience an SWE (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.35–1.89). This analysis further supports the growing body of research that suggests a relationship between climate change-related weather events and violence against women.

Highlights

In the wake of environmental tragedies, efforts focus on immediate healthcare needs and rebuilding infrastructures and economies
We focus on the relationship between severe weather events in Kenya and the social costs to women
There were greater odds of reporting intimate partner violence (IPV) among women whose partners worked in agriculture as compared to women whose partners did not work in agriculture (OR = 1.22, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.10–1.36)

Summary

Introduction

In the wake of environmental tragedies, efforts focus on immediate healthcare needs and rebuilding infrastructures and economies. The differential effects among men and women, namely, the social and human costs, are often overlooked. Extreme weather patterns can put women in more vulnerable positions and often lead to increases in violence against women. As the number of severe environmental tragedies increases, so will the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV). The pattern of environmentally associated violence has been documented both during and after extreme weather events. Rates of gender-based violence increased from 4.6/100,000 per day to 16.3/100,000 per day after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 [1]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion