Climate resilience can’t be achieved without addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights, new study shows

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

Aug 4, 2025
Published in Sage Journals

A qualitative study by Ipas Bangladesh reveals how extreme weather events (EWEs) caused by climate change worsen sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes for women and girls in coastal Bangladesh. The study shows that people’s experiences during climate crises vary. Factors like gender, age, marital status, religion, income level, and social background shape them. The study found that effects such as increased gender-based violence, unintended pregnancies, challenges with menstrual health, and difficulties in accessing health services vary widely based on these intersectional factors.

Continued: https://www.ipas.org/news/climate-resilience-srhr-study/

04.08.2025

Research

climate change and reproductive justice

Dr. Sayed Rubayet

Ipas Bangladesh

sexual and reproductive health and rights

Weaponizing Aid: How U.S. Policies Undermine Reproductive Health in Humanitarian Crises

U.S. restrictions on foreign aid like the global gag rule are endangering women and girls by cutting off access to essential reproductive healthcare in humanitarian crises.

2/18/2025
by Ira Memaj

Shortly after taking office, the Trump administration issued a cascade of executive orders—among them, the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, commonly referred to as the global gag rule (GGR). The GGR restricts U.S. funding for international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that provide, refer for, lobby or counsel on abortion care. While much has been covered about the GGR’s adverse effects on global health and NGOs, its impact on vulnerable populations in humanitarian settings, particularly refugee women and girls, has received less attention.

In 2024, a record 122.6 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to climate change, political unrest, persecution and armed conflict. More than 90 million women and girls are expected to require humanitarian aid, including sexual and reproductive health services, such as perinatal and abortion care, gender-based violence (GBV) support, and STI screening and treatment.

Continued: https://msmagazine.com/2025/02/18/us-global-gag-rule-refugee-women-healthcare-crisis-trump/

Bangladesh – ‘Restricting access doesn’t stop abortion, increases risks’

The limitations on access not only contribute to unsafe practices but also reinforce the social stigma associated with abortion

Nurul Islam Hasib
05 Oct 2024

Bangladesh currently lacks a comprehensive abortion law, permitting the procedure only in circumstances aimed at saving a woman's life, as outlined in the Bangladesh Penal Code of 1860 (sections 312-316).

Instead, the government offers Menstrual Regulation (MR), a service included in the national family planning program since 1979. MR can be performed by trained midlevel providers within 10 weeks of a missed menstrual period and by a doctor within 12 weeks.

Continued: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/360837/%E2%80%98restricting-access-doesn%E2%80%99t-stop-abortion

‘May You Be The Mother Of Many Sons…’

Monday, 5 October 2020
Shobha Shukla

...so goes an old common blessing given to an Indian bride, talks of gender equality notwithstanding. While the small family norm slogan of 'hum do, hamare do' (we two, ours two) has rubbed in well the penchant for begetting at least one son has not waned.

Many modern Indian women find their womanhood incomplete without begetting a son. I know of several highly educated and professionally qualified young Indian women who heaved a sigh of relief and smug satisfaction on having a boy as their first or second born. A complete Indian family is envisaged as one with two kids- at least one of who ought be a son.

Continued: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2010/S00031/may-you-be-the-mother-of-many-sons.htm

Opinion: Rohingya women have suffered enough. They don’t deserve discriminatory health care.

Opinion: Rohingya women have suffered enough. They don't deserve discriminatory health care.
By Anu Kumar, Sayed Rubayet
14 December 2017

Rape has been used as a weapon of war in conflicts all over the world. And has been used against women and girls caught up in the massive humanitarian crisis involving Rohingya refugees.

In the past few months, nearly 600,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh, and more continue to seek refuge every day. The camps are overcrowded. The smell of waste and small fires for cooking and sweat hangs in the humid, thick air. Tents fashioned out of reeds and tarps perch precariously in the mud. Throngs of people crowd the latrines and newly dug wells. And these conditions are better than those in the makeshift camps, where thousands of unregistered refugees are living.

Continued at source: https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-rohingya-women-have-suffered-enough-they-don-t-deserve-discriminatory-health-care-91751