Study Reveals Disproportionate Impact of Heatwaves on Women in South Sudan

A new study from World Weather Attribution shows that a recent heatwave in South Sudan, made ten times more likely by climate change, disproportionately affects women. With rising temperatures leading to school closures, girls are often relegated to household tasks while facing increased health risks from extreme heat. The research highlights urgent concerns about maternal health and the implications of climate change on gender inequalities.

Recent research from World Weather Attribution highlights that an intense heatwave in South Sudan, which led to school closures for two weeks last month, was significantly exacerbated by climate change, making it at least ten times more likely. The study reveals that women bear a disproportionate burden during heat events, particularly emphasizing that heatwaves severely impact their livelihoods and health.

During the heatwave, which brought temperatures reaching 42°C, numerous students collapsed from heat-related illnesses, prompting health officials, including Acting Minister of Health Aya Benjamin Warille, to advise residents to limit outdoor activities and stay hydrated. Unfortunately, many schools are ill-equipped for such extreme temperatures, as the majority lack cooling systems and operate in makeshift facilities, intensifying the crisis.

Over 2.8 million children in South Sudan, including a significant number of girls, are already out of school. School closures due to extreme heat exacerbate this issue, often leading girls to take on household responsibilities, which further exposes them to high temperatures. Medical experts note that extreme heat can compromise bodily functions and increases the risk of severe health outcomes, such as heat stroke and other related illnesses.

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, as high temperatures raise the risks of miscarriages and stillbirths. Given South Sudan’s dire maternal mortality rate of 1,223 deaths per 100,000 births, this situation is alarming. World Weather Attribution co-lead, Friederike Otto, stated that systemic inequalities worsen the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, particularly women in conflict-affected regions like South Sudan.

The study also addressed the influence of human-induced climate change on increased global heat events, pointing to fossil fuel combustion as a primary contributor. The findings indicate that climate change has made such heatwaves significantly more likely and intensified their severity. With a continuing warming trend of 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels, similar heat events could become commonplace, potentially occurring annually if global emissions do not decrease significantly.

In summary, the recent heatwave in South Sudan has underscored the urgent need to address the disproportionate effects of climate change, especially on women. The findings from World Weather Attribution reveal that extreme heat exacerbates existing inequalities and significantly impacts public health and education, necessitating immediate and comprehensive action to combat the effects of climate change and improve living conditions in vulnerable communities.

Original Source: earth.org