A recent study by World Weather Attribution shows that climate change made the heatwave in South Sudan at least ten times more likely, severely impacting the lives of women and girls. School closures due to extreme heat disproportionately affect girls, who are often assigned increased household responsibilities, thereby hampering their education. Extreme heat also poses significant health risks, especially for pregnant women in the region, accentuating the urgent need to address climate-related challenges in South Sudan.
Recent research from World Weather Attribution indicates that the intense heatwave experienced in South Sudan last month was exacerbated by climate change, making such events at least ten times more likely. The extreme conditions led authorities to close schools for two weeks, with many students suffering from heatstroke, prompting emergency health advisories from leaders such as Acting Minister of Health, Aya Benjamin Warille.
The overwhelming majority of households and schools lack adequate cooling systems, as many educational facilities are constructed from iron sheets and remain without electricity. In capital Juba, around 12 students were reportedly collapsing each day due to the heat prior to the closures, highlighting a significant public health concern amidst escalating temperatures that peaked at 42 degrees Celsius.
The study found that more than 2.8 million children in South Sudan are out of school, and further closures particularly affect girls. When schools close, girls often assume more household responsibilities such as collecting water and cooking, which subject them to even greater heat exposure, thereby diminishing their chances of returning to education.
Extreme heat presents considerable health risks, compromising the body’s ability to regulate temperature and increasing the likelihood of heat-related illnesses. Pregnant women face particular dangers from high temperatures, which are associated with increased rates of miscarriage and stillbirth. This situation is alarming in South Sudan, where maternal mortality is high at 1,223 deaths per 100,000 births.
The recent study by World Weather Attribution underscores the disproportionate impact of climate change on women in South Sudan, particularly during extreme heat events. With insufficient infrastructure to cope with the high temperatures, and school closures leading to increased domestic burdens on girls, the situation exacerbates gender inequalities. The findings reinforce the urgent necessity for addressing climate change and its multifaceted effects on vulnerable populations.
Original Source: earth.org
