The climate crisis is not gender-neutral - it hits women and mothers particularly hard. While they take on the majority of care work worldwide, they are also the hardest hit by heatwaves, environmental disasters and rising food prices. This can have fatal consequences from pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding through all stages of life and into old age.
What does this mean for women in Germany in concrete terms?
📌 Climate protection as a responsibility of the healthcare system
💡 The healthcare sector in Germany emits more greenhouse gas emissions than air travel. It therefore makes a significant contribution to climate change and at the same time is itself greatly affected by the consequences. It also has a social responsibility to recognize the effects of the climate crisis in its sector due to the high level of trust the population places in its six million employees. The healthcare sector needs binding sustainability concepts!
📌 Healthcare adapted to the consequences of climate change
💡 Heatwaves in cities are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, older women and women with small children. Despite this, many hospitals and maternity clinics lack air-conditioned rooms or heat protection concepts. And in public spaces, there is usually a lack of free public toilets and drinking fountains. Who protects the health of the little ones?
📌 Strengthening the political participation of women
💡 During the 2021 flood disaster in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, it was often women who looked after evacuated families, elderly relatives and neighborhood assistance - while men decided on reconstruction and infrastructure. Where are the gender-sensitive perspectives in the planning and implementation of climate protection and adaptation measures?
📌 Implementing the right to a healthy environment
💡 Pushing a baby carriage at 38 degrees? In summer, concrete cities without shade and green oases overheat. Mothers with babies or small children are particularly exposed to the heat - we need liveable cities!
📌 Empowerment of women worldwide
💡 In Germany, 90 % of single parents are women. When food and energy prices rise due to climate crises, they are hit with full force. Many then have to cut back on healthy food for themselves and their children - an invisible climate consequence that pushes mothers to their limits.
🔥 Mothers are not only affected by the climate crisis, they are also powerful drivers of change. It's time to give them more say and protection!
Become part of the movement for #Climate Justice & #Women's Health! 🌱
#hundertausendmuetter #Women's health #Climate crisis #MothersStrengthen #CareLaborProtect #Sustainability #Climate protectionNow #Climate adaptation
You can find out more about climate change and women's health at Women's Health and Climate Change Conference - Nov. 2 & 3, 2024 | Working Group Women's Health in Medicine, Psychotherapy and Society e.V.
Illustration: Mandy Musiol @illucandy