Impacts of Climate-induced Disasters on Mental Health of Women and Children in Pakistan: A Review

Abstract

The paper is qualitative in nature and is based on review of available literature regarding impacts of climate-induced disasters
on women and children in Pakistani society. The paper aims to explore the impacts of such disasters on mental health of women
and children as they are most exposed to such sudden situation on account of their weak physical strength, less coping capability
and having less resources to protect themselves from damages caused by such hazards. The study summarizes that during
disasters in Pakistan, women are affected badly as they are at risk of being abducted, raped and sexually exploited. Furthermore,
those women who lost their shelter, parents, husband and children develop symptom of grief, stress and other severe mental
diseases. Similarly, children who lost home environment, parents, siblings, school and toys whom they loved are at increased risk of
developing mental illness. The study recommends that during disasters and in post disaster period, the women and children in
particular needs special care in the form of early intervention through counselling and rehabilitation services. Women should be
kept in intuitional care while for child protection programs should be initiated which should manly focus on children who are
displaced and are residing in temporary camps.