Staff Reporter

Experts who attended yesterday’s Climate and Health Conference Africa, held at Harare’s Cresta Lodge Hotel,  highlighted the severe impact of climate change on sexual and reproductive health in Zimbabwe, warning that women are disproportionately affected.

Speaking to The Harare Post, Pester Siraha from Population Services Zimbabwe stressed the urgent health risks posed by climate change, especially for women.

“Health is one of the primary areas impacted by climate change. It’s not just an environmental issue because it directly affects sexual and reproductive health, with women facing elevated risks of conditions like cervical cancer that are exacerbated by changing climate,” Siraha said.

Siraha referenced the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in 2019, which severely disrupted healthcare access in the affected districts.

“Cyclone Idai was a stark reminder of the healthcare vulnerabilities we face during climate disasters. The destruction left many without essential health services, including vital sexual and reproductive healthcare,” she explained.

Beyond healthcare disruptions, Siraha pointed to climate-driven agricultural decline, which triggers other health concerns.

 “Climate change reduces agricultural productivity, leading to malnutrition, which in turn heightens vulnerability to various diseases,” she said, noting that poor nutrition can increase cancer risks, including skin cancers.

Another delegate, Kerita Chikowe of Second Chance Trust, voiced concerns about women bearing the brunt of these health impacts.

 “This conference underscored the overlooked ways climate change uniquely impacts women’s reproductive health. Women face compromised health, reduced access to care, and a diminished quality of life as climate pressures mount,” Chikowe stated.

Chikowe urged governments and organizations to integrate climate change into health planning, advocating for policies that keep essential sexual and reproductive health services accessible even amidst climate change induced disruptions.

“By considering climate change in health policies, we can protect the most vulnerable and ensure resilient health services,” she added.

Experts at the conference called for urgent action, pushing for policies that address the intertwined threats of climate and health risks.

The event provided a critical platform for raising awareness and emphasized the need for immediate, climate-conscious interventions to safeguard the health of women and marginalized communities in Zimbabwe.