Impact of Climate Changes on Women's Health in Al Dakahlya Governorate, Egypt

Climate change is a major global health concern caused by both natural factors and human activities. Climate change including increased exposures to heat, poor air quality, extreme weather events, and altered vector-borne disease transmission, reduced water quality, and decreased food security. These effects directly and indirectly impact human well-being and undermine healthcare services .

Climate change has a significant impact on vulnerable communities, particularly women, who face increased dangers and vulnerabilities. Women often bear the responsibility for managing household affairs and essential resources, but they experience gender disparities in reproductive rights, education, and legal recourse, which are exacerbated during environmental disasters. Sociocultural traditions and familial obligations can prevent women from relocating to safer areas. Additionally, women are disproportionately affected by gender-based violence and are more likely to perish in disasters .

Climate change disproportionally affects women and girls due to systemic gender inequalities. Women's and girls' lower socio-economic status diminishes their ability to cope with climate change. Women represent 70% of the world's poor and are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods. 80% of people displaced by climate change are women.

Women are always seen as caretakers and caregivers in the household settings which makes them vulnerable when they are affected by floods, earthquakes and landslides. There are certain fundamental causes which are affecting women during natural disasters in all aspects as economic, social, ecological, political, physical, and emotional. Extreme weather events disrupt access to essential services by damaging or destroying facilities, infrastructure and medical supply chains, putting many women and girls at greater risk due to having to walk longer distances to access services or not being able to access them at all. o Reduced access to contraception and safe abortion services increases maternal mortality, as well as sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

Egypt aims to create an environment where women and girls can thrive by promoting shared responsibilities, decision-making, and access to sexual and reproductive health services. The National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030 outlines key interventions to enhance reproductive health services, raise awareness about risks, and improve healthcare capacities. Climate change was included in the strategy' proposed interventions, to raising women's awareness how to cope and to take necessary protecting procedures, using appropriate environmentally friendly procedures, and training. Egypt's efforts align with the SDGs and demonstrate its commitment to creating a society with equal opportunities and rights for women. A conscious effort needs to be made to raise awareness of these effects and to combat the devastating effects of climate change to our world .Therefore, the current study will be assessing climate change effects on woman's health to disseminating gender-sensitive climate information to communities.