Lok Sabha Question No. 2065 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Impact of Climate Change on Women and Children
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri B K Parthasarathi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2065

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2024

## IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WOMEN AND CHILDREN

## 2065 SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has conducted an audit regarding the impact of climate change on women and children;
- (b)  if so, the details of the women affected due to climate change especially in the rural areas of Andhra Pradesh;
- (c)   whether any projects have been implemented to mitigate the impact of climate change on women;
- (d)  if so, the details of the funding for the same, State/UT-wise especially in Andhra Pradesh;
- (e)   whether  promotional  activities  have  been  conducted  to  create  awareness regarding climate change and its impact on women; and
- (f)   if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI ANNPURNA DEVI)

(a)  &  (b):      Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  has  not  conducted  audit regarding the impact of climate change on women and children. Further, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Ministry of Earth Science have informed that they have also not conducted an audit regarding the impact of climate  change  on  women  and  children.  However,  according  to  Third  National Communication  (TNC),  submitted  to  United  Nations  Framework  Convention  on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in December 2023, women, especially those from lower economic  backgrounds,  face  some  of  the  most  severe  effects  of  climate  change. Globally, it is now accepted that the climate crisis and its impacts are not 'genderneutral'.

UNICEF  has  recognized  that  children  face  additional  vulnerabilities  due  to  the following factors:

- i. Children are more prone to dehydration due to their lower ability to regulate body  temperature,  making  them  more  vulnerable  to  heat  waves  and  high temperatures.
- ii. Climate change may cause crop failures and rising prices, which in turn may lead to increased rates of malnutrition among children.

A recent study done by M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in 2024, examines the implications of climate change on women and children across various agro-ecological zones in India. It reveals that women and children in Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Telangana are especially vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Children exposed to climate hazards are more likely to experience stunting, underweight conditions, and increased  susceptibility  to  early  pregnancies.  According  to  the  study,  exposure  to drought  events  raises  the  likelihood  of  underweight  women  by  35  percent,  child marriage  by  37  percent,  teenage  pregnancy  by  17  percent,  and  intimate  partner violence by up to 50 percent.

(c) to (f): The Government recognizes the adverse impact of climate change on women and children and has taken several steps to mitigate the vulnerabilities. A National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) has been launched by Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare  (MoHFW)  in  2019  with  the  goal  to  reduce morbidity, mortality, injuries and health vulnerabilities to climate variability and extreme weather  events  especially  among  vulnerable  groups  like  women,  children  and marginalized  communities.  Various  activities  for  increasing  general  awareness, capacity building of health care professionals and healthcare workers, strengthening health  sector  preparedness,  collaborative  partnership  and  steering  research  on climate  sensitive  health  issues  are  the  key  objectives  of  the  programme.  The programme  focuses  on  health  sector  response  to  climate  sensitive  diseases  and health issues like air pollution, heat related illness, other extreme weather events and green  and  climate  resilient  healthcare  facilities.  The  programme  is  implemented through the organizational framework of Nodal Officers at State and District Levels. Activities further have coverage at sub-district level for health facility and community level implementation. MoHFW  has  also prepared information education and communication (IEC) materials to increase awareness on extreme weather events. Besides,  public  health  advisory  on  various  climate  related  issues  are  issued  by MoHFW  from  time  to  time  to  States/  UTs.  MoHFW  also  exchanges  relevant surveillance information with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) for review of preparedness and further action.

The Government implements the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which  is  the  overarching  policy  framework  and  comprises  of  National  Missions  in specific  areas  of  solar  energy,  enhanced  energy  efficiency,  water,  agriculture, Himalayan ecosystem, sustainable habitat, health, green India and strategic knowledge on climate change.  Further, 34 States/ UTs including Andhra Pradesh have prepared State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) consistent with the objectives of NAPCC.

Further,  schemes  like  Ujwala  Yojana,  which  provides  for  clean  cooking  gas connections, Har Ghar Nal se Jal under Jal Jeevan Mission, which provides for tapped drinking  water  at  the  doorstep,  Swachch  Bharat  Abhiyaan  under  which  crores  of household  toilets  have  been  constructed,  and  Pradhan  Mantri  Awas  Yojana,  the flagship scheme of Government for housing, have not only reduced the drudgery on women but also help improving their health status and empowerment. Thus, womenrelated challenges are being addressed in developmental and disaster risk reduction programmes of the Government of India.

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