The looming threat of a "super" El Niño event is set to exacerbate existing inequalities, with women bearing the brunt of its impact. This is according to Walter Mwasaa, the regional director for CARE International in East and Southern Africa, who warns that the climate crisis will disproportionately affect women's health and well-being. Mwasaa's concerns are not unfounded, as historical data and ongoing research provide a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of climate-induced disasters on women and girls.
In rural and urban areas alike, women will face significant health challenges, including increased risk of child marriage, forced labor, and limited access to education and economic opportunities. The burden of providing for families and households will fall heavily on women, exacerbating existing gender inequalities. The situation is particularly dire in regions like Somaliland, where droughts are forcing girls to walk for hours to collect water, sacrificing their education.
The impact of El Niño on women's health is multifaceted. Pregnant women and babies require dietary diversity, which may be compromised during times of poor harvest. Extreme heat, a consequence of the climate crisis, poses a significant health risk to pregnant women worldwide. Stories of women giving birth in trees during floods in Mozambique highlight the extreme measures women are forced to take when health centers are closing due to aid cuts and climate-related disasters.
The crisis is further compounded by the devastating effects of aid cuts. CARE's programming in East and Southern Africa has been gutted, with budgets expected to fall significantly. Ethiopia, for instance, has seen its programming reduced from $130 million to just $15 million by 2027. Somalia, facing a dire humanitarian situation with two million children acutely malnourished, has seen the closure of 50 CARE-supported health and nutrition centers since January 2026.
As CARE redirects resources towards climate adaptation and private sector partnerships, there are concerns about the effectiveness of these strategies. While pan-African cooperation is a positive development, the challenge of finding products from rich countries that African countries need or can afford remains. Mwasaa emphasizes the importance of reducing dependency on aid and fostering local and global market engagement, but acknowledges the practical hurdles in achieving this goal.
In conclusion, the "super" El Niño event and the ongoing climate crisis pose a significant threat to women's health and well-being, particularly in regions already affected by aid cuts and humanitarian crises. The impact on women's lives and livelihoods cannot be overstated, and urgent action is required to address this growing crisis.
