6.5 lakh Pregnant Women Affected In Flood-Hit Pakistan: UNFPA

Over and over again, natural disasters reiterate that women are affected differently. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) data on Pakistan floods justifies it. About 6,50,000 pregnant women in Pakistan's flood-hit regions require emergency healthcare to deal with the natural calamity. Floods are hazardous irrespective of gender, but the risk to life doubles in women, given such a peculiar situation. 

UNFPA is a sexual and reproductive health agency. It pointed out that among 6,50,000 pregnant women, 73,000 women, whose delivery is due next month are in dire need of maternal health facilities. There is a requirement for skilled birth attendants, newborn care, and support for 73000 women soon to be in labour, as per a report. 

The UN agency in a report cited, "Stressing that pregnancies and childbirth could not wait for emergencies or natural disasters to be over, the agency said that a woman and baby are most vulnerable and need utmost care during this hour of crisis that has deluged a third of Pakistan." 

Further added, "over 1,000 health facilities were damaged in Sindh, while 198 health facilities destructed in Balochistan." So far, over 1,100 persons died, and 33 million others were adversely impacted, according to a UN agency. 

Ac­­ting UNFPA Pakistan Repre­sen­tative Bakhtior Kadirov urged the world to step up relief efforts. Kadirov remarked, "The damage to roads and bridges also compromised girls’ and women’s access to health facilities. We will continue to support health facilities with the equipment and human resources to be fully operational despite the challenging humanitarian conditions."

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Pakistan Floods Impact On Women

UNFPA has also warned of an increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls as almost a million hou­ses were destructed in the floods across Pakistan since early June. UN agency is also prioritizing gender-based violen­­ce prevention and response serv­i­­­ces, including medical and psychosocial support, to survivors of assault.

The latest IPCC report also shows the growing emphasis on addressing mental health challenges, including anxiety and stress. Monitoring psychosocial impacts and access to mental health care from extreme weather events might help in minimising climate-related mental health issues.

The climate change and natural calamities discourse has neglected women. When a calamity occurs, women face socio-economic issues. Often impacts are long-lasting, and women have to bear the brunt of it. Being the so-called primary caregiver, women are also the initiator of rehabilitation. Despite their problems - be it during floods or aftermath, women are the last ones to be considered in climate resilience and mitigation policies.