Women and girls continue to bear disproportionate impacts of heatwaves in South Sudan that have become a constant threat

A World Weather Attribution analysis finds that human-induced climate change made the extreme heat in South Sudan in February 2025 at least 2C hotter and at least 10 times more likely. The report highlights that women and girls bear disproportionate impacts due to their roles in agriculture and unpaid care work, as well as systemic inequalities in education and health. The study notes that extreme heat exacerbates malnutrition for 860,000 children under five and increases risks for 1.1 million people in overcrowded shelters due to conflict.

• Human-induced climate change significantly increased the severity and probability of the February 2025 heat event in the South Sudan region. In a climate 1.3C colder, a similarly frequent 7-day heat event would have been approximately 4C cooler, and the observed extreme heat would have been 'extremely unlikely to occur'. Conservative estimates based on combined observation and model analysis indicate climate change made the event at least 10 times more likely and at least 2C hotter.
• Gender-based inequalities in South Sudan increase the vulnerability of women and girls to extreme heat. Women are predominantly employed in agriculture or high-exposure roles like street vending and manufacturing, and they spend 60% of their time on unpaid care work, including cooking and fetching water in hot environments. This leads to long-term health risks such as kidney damage, cardiovascular strain, and heat stroke.
• Extreme heat disrupts education and health, particularly for the most vulnerable. Nationwide school closures starting February 20 increased the risk of learning losses and early marriage for girls. Additionally, extreme heat worsens food insecurity and dehydration for 860,000 children under five, especially those in female-headed households.
• Conflict and displacement exacerbate heat risks for over 1.1 million people in the region who are forced into overcrowded shelters with poor ventilation. Displaced women face additional risks, including limited access to healthcare and water, and a heightened risk of violence.
• Urban infrastructure in Juba is inadequate for managing extreme heat, with only 1% of the city providing green space and shade. Furthermore, one third of Juba's population lacks access to water, and many houses lack electricity and cooling, often featuring iron roofs that trap heat.

APA

World Weather Attribution (2025). Women and girls continue to bear disproportionate impacts of heatwaves in South Sudan that have become a constant threat. https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/women-and-girls-continue-to-bear-disproportionate-impacts-of-heatwaves-in-south-sudan-that-have-become-a-constant-threat/

Chicago

World Weather Attribution. Women and girls continue to bear disproportionate impacts of heatwaves in South Sudan that have become a constant threat. 2025. https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/women-and-girls-continue-to-bear-disproportionate-impacts-of-heatwaves-in-south-sudan-that-have-become-a-constant-threat/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Weather Attribution |title=Women and girls continue to bear disproportionate impacts of heatwaves in South Sudan that have become a constant threat |date=7 March 2025 |url=https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/women-and-girls-continue-to-bear-disproportionate-impacts-of-heatwaves-in-south-sudan-that-have-become-a-constant-threat/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldweatherattribution2025women, author = {{World Weather Attribution}}, title = {{Women and girls continue to bear disproportionate impacts of heatwaves in South Sudan that have become a constant threat}}, institution = {World Weather Attribution}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/women-and-girls-continue-to-bear-disproportionate-impacts-of-heatwaves-in-south-sudan-that-have-become-a-constant-threat/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }