UNFPA–SDPI Report Exposes Alarming Gendered Impacts of Floods and Droughts in Pakistan
Pakistan must urgently climate-proof public services to protect women and girls from the growing gendered impacts of floods and droughts, reveals a groundbreaking UNFPA–SDPI report calling for action on gender and climate resilience.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 30 — Pakistan must urgently climate-proof its public services to safeguard women and girls from worsening gendered impacts of floods and droughts, said Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal during the launch of a joint UNFPA–SDPI report held in Islamabad on Thursday.
The report, titled “Drought and Deluge: The Silent Sufferings of Women and Girls in Climate Change,” was launched under the Data for Development (D4D) programme—an initiative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) as its implementing partner.
The study powerfully highlights how climate disasters such as floods and droughts disproportionately affect women’s access to reproductive health (SRH) services, increase the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), and deepen poverty cycles in vulnerable communities.
Women at the Frontline of Climate Crisis
In her video message, Dr Shezra Mansab emphasized that Pakistan’s adaptation challenge is both humanitarian and developmental.
“Every disaster shock impacts women and girls first and hardest. The climate agenda cannot succeed without securing community rights and safety,” she stated.
She added that the ministry is committed to mainstreaming climate, environment, population, and gender issues into national frameworks. The government is also collaborating with UNFPA to ensure reproductive health and family planning are included in future Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate action plans.
Call for Climate-Resilient Public Services
Dr Gulnara Kadyrkulova, UNFPA Deputy Representative in Pakistan, called climate change an “inter-generational crisis” affecting the wellbeing of millions.
She warned that the floods in Punjab left countless pregnant women stranded without access to health services, while rising pollution continues to threaten women and children’s health.
Referencing the 2022 Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), she underscored that women faced extreme vulnerability during floods—particularly concerning maternal healthcare and GBV exposure.
“We must invest in climate resilience and gender-responsive development,” she urged, reaffirming UNFPA’s commitment to empowering national partners for sustainable, inclusive solutions.
Key Findings of the UNFPA–SDPI Report
Presenting the study, Dr Rafi Amir Ud Din from COMSATS University revealed striking data gathered from 2,767 women across eight climate-vulnerable districts—including Dera Ghazi Khan, Umerkot, Zhob, Chaghi, Rahim Yar Khan, Charsadda, and Karak.
Key Statistics:
- 8.2 million women were affected during the 2022 floods.
- 1.6 million required GBV support services.
- 77% of respondents faced difficulties accessing SRH and family planning services.
- 71% required assistance related to gender-based violence.
Dr Amir Ud Din noted that weak enforcement of protection protocols, disrupted health services, and inadequate psychosocial support remain serious barriers to women’s safety and wellbeing.
“Cultural stigma and inactive GBV response systems during disasters compound women’s suffering,” he warned, urging data-driven reforms for protection and recovery.
Voices of Leadership and Commitment
Dr Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director of SDPI, described the report as a vital step in bringing invisible suffering into policy debates.
“These findings are not a full picture of the grassroots crisis, but a step toward making the silent sufferings of women and girls visible to decision-makers,” he remarked.
He commended UNFPA for being one of the strongest voices for gender equality in climate discourse, and called for integrating these insights into policy, planning, and national adaptation frameworks.
Meanwhile, Dr Rasheed Ahmed of UNFPA outlined a four-pronged action plan focusing on:
- Strengthening community resilience,
- Building resilient health systems,
- Enhancing disaster preparedness, and
- Developing robust climate-vulnerability data systems.
These measures, he said, are essential for transformative resilience in Pakistan’s most climate-affected regions.
Recommendations and the Road Ahead
During the panel discussion, Humaira Zia Mufti, Secretary of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), emphasized that climate change acts as a “threat multiplier”—worsening inequality and instability.
She called for:
- A Gender Vulnerability Index for national planning,
- Technology-based approaches for education and empowerment, and
- Stronger inclusion of women in climate decision-making.
“Women are the reservoirs of resilience in Pakistan,” she said passionately.
Similarly, Dr Shahzad Ali Khan, Vice-Chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA), pointed out that multi-hazard vulnerability—including unintended pregnancies and infant mortality—is worsening due to disrupted healthcare and lack of preparedness.
He proposed collaboration between UNFPA, HSA, and NCSW to train youth volunteers and implement the report’s recommendations for community-led disaster response.
Scientific Insights and Data Support
Dr Arif Goheer, Executive Director of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), urged for clear institutional mandates on gender and climate policy.
He offered GCISC’s expertise for data modeling and climate risk assessment, reinforcing that gendered climate adaptation requires accurate, segregated data.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr Tahir Ghaznavi, Humanitarian Resilience Coordinator, UNFPA, said:
“Floods and droughts have turned childbirth into a fatal gamble for women in vulnerable communities.”
He emphasized that sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and GBV prevention must become core pillars of national data systems and climate policy frameworks.
Conclusion: Turning Insights into Action
The UNFPA–SDPI report on the gendered impacts of floods and droughts paints a stark picture of inequality magnified by climate change. Yet, it also offers a roadmap for hope—rooted in data, inclusivity, and resilience.
The event concluded with a shared call for policy coherence, institutional collaboration, and data-driven gender mainstreaming to make Pakistan’s climate response more equitable and effective.
