Women, Children, and Marginalized Communities Face Greater Risks Due to Climate Change

June 21, Kathmandu – Experts have highlighted that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable and helpless segments of society. Participants at an interactive program focused on the impact of climate change on children echoed this viewpoint. According to climate scientist Khusbu Paudel, the effects of climate change are not uniform; women, children, and members of marginalized and helpless communities are particularly more affected.

Paudel explained that extreme rainfall, floods, landslides, and droughts have caused significant damage to agriculture, leading to food shortages among children. Consequently, women, children, postpartum, and pregnant women face challenges in accessing healthcare services. Various studies indicate that climate change has disrupted regular immunization services and family planning resources, resulting in increased cases of uncertain pregnancies, Paudel added.

She further noted that water shortages prevent adolescent girls from attending school during menstruation and obligate them to spend time fetching water from distant sources, adversely affecting their education. This situation directly impacts children’s education, health, nutrition, hygiene, and their rights.

Climate scientist Manjita Dhakal reported that the Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.5 degrees Celsius over the past 150 years. Dhakal emphasized that disasters triggered by climate change have negatively impacted agriculture, tourism, hydropower, and remittance sectors. He warned that if these conditions persist, today’s children will face significant challenges in the future.