Millions of women, girls at risk of ‘catastrophic’ levels of partner violence, UN warns
Tens of millions of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa are at risk of experiencing catastrophic levels of intimate partner violence because the world is failing to make progress on the climate crisis, a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warns.
The report, titled Climate Change Impacts and Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, also notes that food insecurity resulting from declining climatic conditions, land use and management and population growth can lead to significant displacement and migration, putting women at further risk.
The report, launched in September, points out that if left unaddressed, climate change will continue to hinder and potentially reverse progress on ending preventable maternal deaths, family planning and combatting gender-based violence and harmful practices.
The world is already falling behind on achieving Agenda 20250, with only 15% of targets on track, the authors wrote.
Forms of abuse
The report further highlights that intimate partner violence is often underreported due to fear, shame and stigmatisation.
“A woman is defined to have experienced less severe violence if she has either been pushed, been shaken or had something thrown at her, been slapped, punched with the fist, hit by something harmful, or been kicked or dragged by her husband or partner,” the report states.
It further adds that severe violence includes having an arm twisted or hair pulled, being strangled or burnt, being threatened with a knife, gun or another weapon, or being physically attacked.
“Sexual violence captures whether a woman has been physically forced into unwanted sex, forced into other unwanted sexual acts, or physically forced to perform sexual acts she did not want.”
Recommendations
The report recommends that women and girls who experience intimate partner violence have access to climate-resilient healthcare, including medical and psychological support.
It also urges member states to invest climate finance in health and protection systems that effectively support women and girls, with a future characterised by increasing climate shocks and displacements.
"Countries must also include the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls – including the risk of gender-based violence – in their national climate plans."
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The report, titled Climate Change Impacts and Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, also notes that food insecurity resulting from declining climatic conditions, land use and management and population growth can lead to significant displacement and migration, putting women at further risk.
The report, launched in September, points out that if left unaddressed, climate change will continue to hinder and potentially reverse progress on ending preventable maternal deaths, family planning and combatting gender-based violence and harmful practices.
The world is already falling behind on achieving Agenda 20250, with only 15% of targets on track, the authors wrote.
Forms of abuse
The report further highlights that intimate partner violence is often underreported due to fear, shame and stigmatisation.
“A woman is defined to have experienced less severe violence if she has either been pushed, been shaken or had something thrown at her, been slapped, punched with the fist, hit by something harmful, or been kicked or dragged by her husband or partner,” the report states.
It further adds that severe violence includes having an arm twisted or hair pulled, being strangled or burnt, being threatened with a knife, gun or another weapon, or being physically attacked.
“Sexual violence captures whether a woman has been physically forced into unwanted sex, forced into other unwanted sexual acts, or physically forced to perform sexual acts she did not want.”
Recommendations
The report recommends that women and girls who experience intimate partner violence have access to climate-resilient healthcare, including medical and psychological support.
It also urges member states to invest climate finance in health and protection systems that effectively support women and girls, with a future characterised by increasing climate shocks and displacements.
"Countries must also include the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls – including the risk of gender-based violence – in their national climate plans."
[email protected]
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