GGCA Gender and Climate Change Training Manual - Women's ...

1. Direct effects of extreme climate events;
2. Consequences on health caused by environmental disorders due to
climate change; and
3. Other consequences on health ( i.e., traumas, infections, psychological
diseases and negative effects on food security, among
others) caused by populations being displaced due to economic
problems, environmental degradation or conflicts arising because
of climate change (World Health Organization, 2003).
Climate change will lead to increased malnutrition and gastro-intestinal,
cardio-respiratory and infectious diseases. Heat waves, floods and droughts will
lead to increased mortality and changes in the distribution of some disease
vectors. Health services will also be burdened by an increase in patients. Children,
particularly girls, and the elderly are most vulnerable to heat stress and the
spread of disease. In times of disaster and environmental change, women and
girls are expected to care for ill members of the family, which takes time away
from income generation and education. Women and girls may have difficulty
accessing health services due to high medical costs and cultural restrictions
related to mobility (Brody et al., 2008).
125
4.4.7 Negative effects of adaptation initiatives on gender inequality
and possible solutions
Below an analysis is made of a series of adaptation measures based on
the suggestions made by Aguilar et al. (2008). The possible negative impact of
not taking into account gender relations, that is to say, replicating inequality, is
shown. Suggestions are also made that may be considered when designing and
implementing such measures.
Module 4