More than 5% admitted to having suicidal thoughts. Only 2% (four respondents) mentioned coping strategies, including “getting used to” these emotions.
as a result of
Their biggest concern is their children and the short- and long-term effects that climate-induced food insecurity may have on them.
Mothers fear that disasters will lead to inability to feed their children enough, leading to malnutrition and starvation, which will adversely affect their education, health and overall development.
Many mothers said they felt guilty about not being able to raise their children properly, with one participant describing the emotion as “painful”.
At least one other child was killed in the landslide, which left the mother traumatized and needed to continue to care for two other children after the disaster.
Another interviewee mentioned having to leave their three-year-old child in the care of others due to mental illness.
support
Verbal abuse was also a common theme for most women, with 24 women revealing that they had been victims of physical abuse, while 44 women specifically highlighted physical abuse, often saying “husbands” when asked about gender-based violence Wife beating” in their community.
These emotional testimonials will help policymakers in Malawi identify, design and develop community-led solutions to adapt to climate change, minimize mental health risks for women, and address gender-based violence among vulnerable groups.
The researchers recommend the use of referral systems and the development of victim support facilities to design a strong support network for women (and men).
The project is with Mzuzu University Malawi, and life carea Malawi non-profit organization that provides sustainable economic empowerment for women and disadvantaged groups.
evidence
The researchers also worked closely with the Malawi government’s Ministry of Health. The researchers presented their project findings and recommendations at a workshop in Lilongwe, Malawi.
They met with mental health practitioners, policymakers, academics, activists, government stakeholders, and individuals from affected communities to find areas of common understanding, identify recommendations for support structures for women in need, and seek collaboration for further research in more areas of the country, and beyond.
Professor Jafry said: “To date, few studies have explored the relationship between these issues, the overlapping risk factors and the magnitude of the problem.
“Climate change is exacerbating mental health and gender-based violence in countries around the world, but more research is needed in countries like Malawi that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
“We need to build the evidence base to overcome the global lack of knowledge and data on the impact of climate change on mental health and gender-based violence.”
common
“This will help achieve climate justice for those who contribute the least but bear the brunt of climate change.”
She added: “Globally, there is now a strong drive to look at these issues and use it to strengthen the UN General Assembly resolution announced in July 2022 in which they declared that access to a clean and healthy environment is a universal human rights.
“This is such a positive development, and I hope our research can play an important role in supporting the much-needed work needed to protect those on the front lines of the climate crisis.”
Environment Minister Myrie McCarran MSP said: “A lot of times, those who suffer the most from global warming are those who are least responsible for it.
Safety
This research helps illustrate the full and dire scale of these consequences, including the disproportionate impact on women, their mental health and physical safety.
“Scotland is committed to supporting countries suffering from loss and damage from climate change and ensuring we recognise and address the gendered impacts of the climate crisis.
This work will help us deliver on that commitment and provide a valuable resource for others looking to address the often overlooked impacts of loss and damage. “
As such studies show, as global climate conditions worsen, the impacts will hit the most vulnerable groups first.
Without proper policies and protections, climate-related violence will only be provoked. The question is still unfolding – who will be held accountable, and for those bearing the brunt.
this author
Yasmin Dahnoun is ecologist. This report is based on a press release from Glasgow Caledonian University.
