By Christiana Afua Nyarko
Accra, Oct. 6, GNA – Climate-related disasters are increasing girls’ vulnerability to child marriage, teenage pregnancy, violence and disruption of essential health services, a new global study by Plan International has found.
The study, which analysed health and climate data from 52 low- and middle-income countries over three decades and surveyed 5,000 girls and young women in five countries, found that floods, droughts, cyclones and extreme heat were disrupting education and health services, with the greatest impact on already vulnerable girls.
It found that one in 10 girls surveyed had personally experienced an unintended pregnancy following a climate-related event, while 33 per cent reported increased unintended pregnancies in their communities.
Similarly, one in 10 said they had married before age 18, while 36 per cent had observed an increase in child marriage or early unions following climate-related disasters.
The research also found that 28 per cent of respondents had observed increased violence against women and girls after climate-related events, while 76 per cent said girls and young women in their communities were struggling to access at least one health service. The figure rose to 84 per cent among girls affected by drought.
According to the study, climate shocks often disrupt girls’ education, removing a major protective factor against early marriage, unintended pregnancy and violence. Girls whose schooling was disrupted were twice as likely to marry young or experience an unintended pregnancy, while prolonged drought was identified as the climate hazard most consistently associated with increased child marriage and early unions.
The study further found that, 49 per cent of girls had observed increased pregnancy or childbirth-related complications, including miscarriages, in their communities following climate shocks, while nearly one in four said access to healthcare during pregnancy and delivery had become more difficult.
It said girls from minority communities faced even greater risks, being twice as likely to struggle to access services and nearly three times as likely to report an unintended pregnancy.
Reena Ghelani, Chief Executive Officer of Plan International, said climate action must prioritise girls’ health, education and protection, particularly during emergencies.
She called on governments and donors to keep schools open during climate shocks, dedicate climate adaptation financing to adolescent girls’ health, include contraception, menstrual products and protection services in emergency response packages, and ensure that marginalised girls were not left behind.
GNA
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Reporter Christiana Afua Nyarko GNA