A new study published in BMJ Global Health reveals that climate change is severely impacting the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of young adolescents in Kenya. Researchers from the University of Toronto, in collaboration with Kenyan organizations, found that extreme weather events like droughts and floods are driving food and water shortages, leading to increased risks of school dropout, gender-based violence, and early pregnancy among youth aged 10-14.
The study, led by Dr. Carmen Logie of the University of Toronto, involved 297 participants, including adolescents and community elders, across six climate-affected regions in Kenya. Using methods such as focus groups and participatory workshops, the researchers uncovered how resource insecurities force adolescents into exploitative situations. For example, girls reported skipping school due to a lack of menstrual supplies or entering transactional relationships to meet basic needs.
Co-author Aryssa Hasham highlighted the gendered impact, noting that climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. Droughts and floods disrupt food systems, pushing children into homelessness or street involvement, while water shortages expose girls to violence at collection sites. The lack of safe sanitation also contributes to menstruation-related absences and coercive sexual encounters.
“Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s an urgent public health emergency for young adolescents,” said Dr. Logie. Dr. Julia Kagunda, a co-author, added, “We need climate-informed, gender-transformative programs to address these root causes and protect adolescents’ futures.”
The study underscores the need for targeted interventions that integrate climate resilience with SRH education and support. Policymakers and NGOs are urged to prioritize adolescent-centered solutions to mitigate the compounding effects of climate change and gender inequality in vulnerable communities.
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