Despite its importance, only one-third of nations have included sexual and reproductive health as part of their plans to combat climate change. Of the 119 national plans published, only 38 include access to contraception and maternal and newborn health, while just 15 make any reference to gender-based violence. Increasing temperatures result in poorer maternal health and pregnancy complications, such as earlier deliveries and stillbirths. Intensified natural disasters damage health facilities, disrupt care, spread waterborne diseases, and increase the risk of violence and child marriage. Of the countries with published plans, only Paraguay, Seychelles, and Benin specified needed to build climate-resilient health systems, and only Dominica mentioned the need for contraception. Vietnam is the sole country to identify economic instability as a drier of child marriage. Climate change impacts demographics differently, and its unique harm towards women must be addressed in policy in order to reach a just future.
