SURVIVAL STRATEGIES PUT THE LIVES AND RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS DROUGHT-HIT GRAND SUD AT RISK

The South of Madagascar, known as the Grand Sud, faces its most acute drought in 40 years amid ongoing sandstorms, a locust invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic. In the grip of a climate-induced crisis, entire communities are being plunged into extreme poverty and hunger. Inevitably, women and girls are the hardest hit. UNFPA and partners are scaling up the response to the crisis but more needs to be done, and quickly, to avert further deterioration of the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls. Op-ed by Dr. Bannet Ndyanabanji, Regional Director, UNFPA East and Southern Africa. Read more.