Droughts linked to rise in sexual violence in poor nations: Study

Extreme, prolonged droughts, sometimes lasting up to over three years, in lowand middle-income countries can worsen social vulnerabilities indirectly, increasing levels of sexual violence against girl teenagers and women, a study has found.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Researchers, including those from Curtin University, Australia, said the findings emphasise how climate change can have a negative impact on women who have to travel long distances for water, are sometimes forced to migrate for resources and are encouraged to marry early as a downstream effect.

The study, published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health, analysed survey responses of over 35,000 women, aged 13-24, from across 14 countries in south America, sub-saharan Africa and southeast Asia. Data for the 'Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys' was collected during 2013-2019.