Climate Change, Menstrual Health: A Silent Crisis.

The impacts of climate change extend far beyond rising temperatures and extreme weather patterns- they are also affecting menstrual health, a vital but often overlooked aspect of women's well-being. 

This has been revealed by Sharon Natukunda the Climate Justice Activist and Founder of Green Homeland Initiative.

She says, across the globe, millions of women face increasing barriers to managing their periods due to climate-driven crises such as droughts, floods, and natural disasters. 

In East Africa, Uganda serves as a prime example. With increasing rainfall variability and prolonged droughts, access to clean water has become more challenging.

This scarcity forces women, especially in rural areas, to rely on unsafe water sources for managing menstrual hygiene, raising the risk of infections.

 In regions like Karamoja, the situation is dire as climate-related water shortages make it nearly impossible for women to maintain basic menstrual health, affecting their dignity and overall well-being.

In neighboring Kenya, severe droughts have displaced many communities, leaving women in informal settlements without access to sanitary products.

 During the 2019 drought, women in Turkana resorted to using unsanitary materials like old cloth, leaves, and newspaper, increasing their vulnerability to infections and long-term health complications.

In countries like Bangladesh, recurring floods displace communities, making it difficult for women to access clean water and sanitary products.

It may not be always floods, how about the Australia wildfires in recent years which disrupted supply chains, causing a scarcity of menstrual products for women in affected regions.

 The consequences are critical: poor menstrual health can lead to infections, reproductive complications, and missed opportunities for education and work.

This global issue disproportionately affects women in low-income areas, amplifying existing inequalities. The consequences of poor menstrual health are profound.

According to the World Health Organization, over 500 million women globally lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management and in East Africa, this is worsened by climate shocks.

 In refugee camps like Bidi Bidi in northern Uganda, climate-induced displacement exacerbates menstrual health struggles, as women and girls face a shortage of sanitary supplies and lack access to clean water.

To address this growing crisis, governments across the region has to integrate menstrual health into climate resilience policies. Says Natukunda.

 Investing in eco-friendly sanitary products and ensuring reliable access to water and sanitation facilities is crucial. Moreover, NGOs and private sectors can play a key role in raising awareness and providing affordable menstrual products during climate emergencies.

The intersection of climate change and menstrual health cannot be ignored. Addressing this issue is not just about health, but also about promoting gender equality and dignity for women to manage their periods with diginity no matter the climate.She adds.