A recent World Weather Attribution study indicates that the intense heatwave in South Sudan, which resulted in closure of schools, was made significantly more likely by climate change, impacting women especially. With many students suffering from heat-related illnesses, the study highlights the exacerbating effects of heatwaves on existing gender inequalities and educational disparities, necessitating urgent climate action.
A recent study from World Weather Attribution reveals that the intense heatwave in South Sudan last month, which forced schools to shut down for two weeks, was at least ten times more likely due to climate change. This heatwave, marked by extreme temperatures reaching up to 42°C, led to numerous students collapsing from heat-related illnesses. Authorities, including Acting Minister of Health Aya Benjamin Warille, advised residents to remain indoors and stay hydrated during this perilous climate period.
The findings highlight that women in South Sudan are disproportionately impacted by such extreme weather events. With over 2.8 million children out of school, the closures exacerbate existing educational disparities, especially for girls. Often, when schools close, girls assume household responsibilities that require them to endure higher temperatures, further reducing their chances of returning to education.
Extreme heat poses serious health risks, such as heatstroke, particularly threatening for vulnerable populations like pregnant women. In South Sudan, where maternal mortality rates are alarmingly high, the negative implications of heat on pregnancy outcomes are particularly concerning. The study emphasizes that unyielding gender roles and responsibilities place greater burdens on women, exacerbating inequality in an already strife-ridden environment.
Furthermore, the study links the intensity of last month’s heatwave to human-induced climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions. It notes that such extreme heat events are now expected to occur more frequently, potentially becoming an annual occurrence if global emissions remain unchecked. The findings reflect a pressing need to address climate change to mitigate its compounded effects on vulnerable populations, particularly women, in South Sudan.
The recent heatwave in South Sudan underscores the exacerbating effects of climate change on vulnerable groups, particularly women. With school closures during extreme heat endangering girls’ education and increasing domestic burdens, there is an urgent need for comprehensive climate solutions. The findings reveal a concerning link between climate change and rising health risks, emphasizing the necessity of focused interventions to safeguard women’s health and educational opportunities in the region.
Original Source: earth.org
