Applying an intersectional climate justice lens to understand climate crisis impacts on sexual and reproductive health and rights and identify local solutions: Qualitative findings from Khulna, Bangladesh.

Abstract

Background: Climate change has been described as the greatest health threat of the 21st century. Increased evidence of the linkages between climate change and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is essential to achieving full realization of SRHR.

Objective: To understand if and how women and girls' perceived climate vulnerability impacts their SRHR decision-making, behaviors, and outcomes in cyclone-affected communities in coastal Khulna, Bangladesh, we conducted qualitative research using an intersectional climate justice lens.

Design: Climate justice states that the climate crisis is not just an environmental or health problem, it is equally a political and social problem, whereby different communities feel the consequences differently, unevenly, and disproportionately depending on a multitude of factors shaped by intersecting systems of power and oppression. We adopted an intersectional climate justice lens to explore how women and girls' intersecting identities impact their experiences with climate change - particularly extreme weather events - and impact their perceived vulnerability. We employed a two-phased participatory qualitative research design.

Methods: We conducted key informant interviews with local SRHR and climate change experts (n = 10) plus in-depth interviews (n = 15) and community dialog meetings (n = 8) with women and girls of reproductive age (n = 49). Transcripts, activity outputs, and field notes were transcribed verbatim in Bangla, translated to English, and subsequently coded and analyzed thematically using Dedoose.

Results: Participants perceived numerous SRHR outcomes to be worsened by the climate crisis, including unintended pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence, and pregnancy complications. Impacts were experienced differently across social categories, with overlapping identities including age, marital status, and religion magnifying vulnerability and risks to SRHR. Participants identified comprehensive SRHR and advances toward gender equity as essential for building climate resilience.

Conclusion: Our findings provide actionable recommendations to support the full realization of climate justice and SRHR.