Urgent Call for Global Investment in Adolescent Girls Amidst Climate Crisis
The International Day of the Girl Child is appealing to the global community for greater investment in adolescent girls, especially amidst the climate crisis. The wellbeing of our households, communities, and world is closely tied to how seriously we take this call-to-action for half of the world’s population. Protecting the rights of girls is crucial in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially for those living in underserved and marginalized communities.
It is alarming to note that 80 percent of those displaced by climate-related disasters are women and girls. In the aftermath of cyclones, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes, adolescent girls face even greater challenges in accessing essential services and are often forced to search for basic necessities. This heightened exposure makes them vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence, as there is a direct correlation between natural disasters and girls’ limited access to education, skills training, and healthcare.
Furthermore, the breakdown of family and community structures, coupled with the loss of learning centers, exposes girls to exploitative behaviors and multifaceted vulnerabilities. Disaster preparedness and response strategies must evolve to include girl-centered protection solutions in order to reduce these risks and their impact on broader social and economic development goals.
Recent earthquakes in Turkey, Syria, and Morocco have resulted in unprecedented levels of devastation. In Turkey’s southeastern provinces alone, the earthquake affected 9.1 million people, with 3 million displaced and nearly 300,000 buildings destroyed. Amongst the wreckage, an estimated 320,000 people or more continue to live in temporary shelters. Disturbingly, there has been a significant increase in domestic abuse, sexual and gender-based violence, and child marriage, along with reduced school enrollment rates for adolescent girls in these affected areas.
Addressing these challenges requires a girl-centered design approach to develop innovative solutions that humanitarian and development practitioners can implement on a larger scale. This approach involves creating spaces, programs, and activities that prioritize the safety of girls and their active participation. It ensures that all girls, particularly those who are underserved, are acknowledged and engaged.
In the hardest-hit areas of Pazarcik and Antakya in Turkey, adolescent girls and their families still reside in temporary shelters. When asked how international aid could have been different, the girls highlighted the need for self-care and clothing, followed by access to education. They also expressed a desire for creative activities such as music, painting, dance, and sports to occupy their time and bring them happiness. These insights emphasize the importance of recognizing and catering to girls’ interests and needs.
Outdoor activities and the right to play play a significant role in girls’ overall wellbeing and learning experiences. Shelters should be constructed to include safe outdoor spaces that enable girls to play and provide them with the necessary information and access to basic services. Currently, these spaces and services are predominantly utilized by boys and men.
Adolescent girls possess a deep understanding of what it means to be a girl, feel safe, and be valued as equals. Therefore, investing in and with them entails expanding physical safe spaces where they can learn, play, and grow, as well as creating decision-making spaces that value their voices and ideas.
While progress has been made in this direction, more needs to be done. Prioritizing girl-centered design and girl-led solutions before, during, and after disasters can yield the results we have been striving for. By incorporating these approaches, we can ensure a brighter future for adolescent girls worldwide and mitigate the adverse effects of the climate crisis on their lives.
