In the graphic novel, Heroes of Hope, Ayomide Solanke tells the story of a teenage girl who was forced to stop going to school because of the effects of climate change in her region of southern Nigeria. Changes in weather patterns have left Idara’s family farm unproductive and the family faces difficult economic circumstances. Climate change is affecting all of us, but around the world, it is impacting girls more severely.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
How does a worsening climate crisis impact girls?
Loss of homes
Hundreds of million climate migrants by 2050
Each year, tens of millions of people across the globe have to leave their homes because of floods, storms, droughts, and other weather-related disasters. The World Bank estimates that the three regions of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia will generate 143 million climate migrants by 2050. Women and girls bear most of the burden. According to the UN, 80% of people displaced by climate change effects are women and girls. This is true in Nigeria and other areas of Central Africa where there has been persistent drought and 90% of Lake Chad has dried up. It is also true in the United States. For example, in 2005 Hurricane Katrina primarily impacted women of color.
Risk of violence
20-30% increase in trafficking after weather disasters
Because of gender inequality, women and girls face additional dangers related to climate change disasters. Women and girls who have to leave their homes or loss their homes because of climate change disasters often face the risks of gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation. The UN Environment Programme estimates that there is a 20-30% increase in trafficking after weather-related disasters. Women and girls who have to leave their homes often have fewer options on a new way forward because of gender bias. For example, they may face restrictions on land and property rights, they may face restrictions on when and where they can travel, and they may have fewer options to earn a living in order to get reestablished, get a new home or repair their lost homes.
Food and Water Shortages
Women and girls bear most of the burden
Women produce most of the world’s food and bear most of the burden of getting food and water for their families. In many countries agriculture is the most important way to earn a living for women. During periods of drought and erratic rainfall, women often have to work many more hours to make enough money or get enough food for their families. This puts added pressure on girls, who often have to
leave school to help their mothers manage the increased burden. Despite women and girls having most of the responsibility for food and water they do not even have equal rights in this area. Men own the majority of the world’s property, and women have historically held less than 10% of all legal and legislative positions in the field of environment, natural resources and energy.
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