UNFPA launches research challenge to ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights inform global climate solutions

New York, 25 June 2024 - UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with academic partners, is pleased to announce the launch of Climate Change XX: Women’s Health in Focus. This new initiative aims to support young female researchers in addressing the intersection of climate change and women’s health, with a special emphasis on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), gender equity, and inclusion, to ultimately feed into global climate solutions.

A 2023 UNFPA study on countries most at risk from the climate crisis highlights how the climate crisis impacts women and girls, by driving up maternal mortality, child marriage, adolescent birth rates, and gender-based violence. The displacement that comes with climate-driven disasters plays a key role by disrupting access to healthcare and safe spaces when they are most needed. Evidence shows that climate change directly and indirectly affects maternal health, leading to conditions like anemia, eclampsia, and low birth weight. Despite this evidence, few countries are integrating sexual and reproductive health and rights into their national climate policies.

“Without urgent action, climate change will set back the clock on gender equality,” says Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director. “UNFPA is pleased to support young female researchers studying the impacts of climate on women’s health. This is important to ensure that both the priorities of women and girls are reflected in climate strategies in the most vulnerable countries and that women are better represented in climate-related decision-making.”

By bolstering research initiatives that improve access to information, commodities, and services related to women’s health, the Research Challenge seeks to complement and broaden existing research, as well as empower and increase participation of women and young people in the field. Six winning proposals, selected by UNFPA, will receive seed funding of up to USD $15,000 and a four-month contract to advance their research. MIT Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that advances social impact innovation, will provide a robust mentorship support programme. IE University will participate in the selection process for winning proposals, offer additional mentorship and coaching through its network of researchers and practitioners. Winning teams will also be provided with academic support, including shared access to training materials and other resources, as well as skills in management, design thinking, entrepreneurship, innovation, and analysis, to enable young innovators and researchers to develop and explore effective solutions.

Interested innovators and researchers have until July 7, 2024, to submit their solutions. Winners will present their findings in December 2024. More information on eligibility.