Tame war, climate crisis in Sudan for women's sake

A woman holds a sign during a protest against the coup attempt, in Khartoum, Sudan, September 30, 2021. [Reuters]

More than a year since the war in Sudan began, at least 15,000 killings and displacement of 3 million people have been reported in several publications, including UN reports.

This added to the unending climate disasters, worsens the people’s suffering, especially women. Sudan is one of the world’s hottest countries, with the most unpredictable rain patterns that have disrupted agricultural productivity and subsequently food security.

In a country that heavily relies on rain-fed agriculture and pastoralism, water stresses seen in floods and prolonged droughts that have caused loss of human and livestock lives, destruction, and property loss, mean a double burden for women, who are crucial players in agriculture, water collection, and household management.

The Sudan’s war, added to the more intense and frequent climate disasters has caused massive displacements, and destruction, with many farms and crop fields abandoned and farming equipment destroyed. As a result, crop yields have declined by 20-30 per cent due to erratic weather patterns during the war.

For women already burdened with household responsibilities, working in the fields to secure diminishing harvests limits their involvement in other economic and educational activities, maintaining a cycle of poverty and marginalisation. Women cannot even focus on their beauty or rest!

Meanwhile, access to clean water, as envisioned in Sustainable Development Goal 6, is a struggle in Sudan, courtesy of the war and climate change. It is largely a woman’s responsibility to ensure water is available in households, and often they have to walk long distances to access wells and rivers.

With many water points destroyed or rendered inaccessible due to war, and some dried due to prolonged droughts, women have to walk longer distances, exposing them to violence and exploitation. UNICEF says nearly 13 million people have lost access to clean water in Sudan since the war began. The many hours women spend in search for water and the risks involved deny them time for education. Women are now heads of households, as their husbands are killed, abducted, or forced to fight.

Providing food, shelter, and healthcare in a war-torn environment, with the increasing prevalence of malnutrition and waterborne diseases such as cholera and malaria due to contaminated water and poor sanitation is tough. The same women bear the brunt of caring for sick kin amid conflict and climate-induced health crises, usually interfering with their mental and physical stability.

The war in Sudan and the impacts of climate change have created a double burden for women, already among the most vulnerable in society. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Besides the humanitarian efforts, women must be provided with more access to resources, healthcare, and protection from violence. Besides, climate adaptation strategies should prioritise supporting women in agriculture.

In the face of these challenges, more women must be helped to access education and economic opportunities and be involved in decision-making processes at local and national levels. This will address root causes of their vulnerabilities and promote gender equality. The international community must also provided aid and advocate for peace, recognising that the well-being of women is crucial for Sudan’s stability and prosperity.

Sudanese women are pivotal to the country’s agriculture, which accounts for 80 per cent of the workforce and 40 per cent of the GDP. Addressing the double burden of conflict and climate change on women is not only a moral duty but also essential for building a more equitable and resilient future for Sudan.

- The writer advocates for climate justice. [e-mail]