Ahead of International Day of the Girl on October 11, Plan International released a 2026 report on how climate change affects girls and young women. The data show that climate disasters such as floods, droughts, cyclones and extreme heat raise the risk of child marriage, violence and unintended pregnancy.
The research analyzed more than 30 years of climate and health data from about 50 countries, and also included a survey of 5,000 girls and young women aged 15–24 and 139 interviews in five countries. Three out of four respondents said it became harder to access health services after a climate disaster — a reality that is easy to miss in disaster-response plans and statistics.
The report points to a structural cause: when climate crises interrupt schooling, the protective role of school is lost. Ahead of COP31, it calls on governments and donors to help girls keep learning, secure funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights services, and let girls take part in decisions. Results of a survey of 2,070 people aged 15–39 in Japan have also been published.
Key points
- Data show that climate disasters raise the risk of child marriage, violence and unintended pregnancy
- Slow-onset drought is also strongly linked to increases in early and forced marriage
- Findings of a "climate × gender" survey of young people in Japan are also available
Why this news deserves attention
Climate change is often discussed as an environmental issue, but this report uses concrete figures and personal voices to show that it bears directly on people's education, health, safety and rights.
It is also useful for anyone thinking about international cooperation because it treats girls not only as recipients of aid but as active participants in finding solutions.
Editor's comment
Climate disasters can feel far away, yet this report makes us think again about how deeply they touch girls' learning and futures.
The full findings and a Japanese summary are available on the Plan International Japan announcement page. Please take a look.