Southern Africa is facing an unprecedented drought, the worst in a century, driven by the El Niño weather phenomenon. The impact on the 2023-24 farming season has left an estimated 56.8 million people struggling for food. A report by ActionAid highlights a devastating consequence: families are forced to marry off their daughters in exchange for sustenance. This practice, a desperate attempt to cope with the crisis, exposes young women to increased risks of violence, exploitation, and marginalization.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) describes the situation as the worst drought in 100 years. The crisis began earlier this year due to low rainfall leading to widespread crop failure. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) estimates that 68 million people, representing 17% of the region’s population, require urgent aid.
ActionAid’s report, ‘Mitigating Protection Risks for Young Women in Southern Africa: Policy Responses to Drought-Induced Crises,’ underscores the disproportionate impact of the drought on young women and girls. The report highlights how escalating food insecurity, economic hardship, and social instability amplify existing inequalities, leaving young women vulnerable to increased risks.
The drought has also hampered the economic opportunities of many farming communities, pushing families to adopt desperate survival strategies. “The drought is significantly impacting us, who are often married off to secure food resources,” said Emily, a 19-year-old girl from Siamuluwa village. These girls are then expected to rely on their husbands for basic necessities, which further increases their vulnerability to gender-based violence.
The report emphasizes the urgent need to protect and empower young women in the region. It details how the increased burden of unpaid care work, coupled with reduced access to essential services and support, leaves women vulnerable to exploitation and violence.
ActionAid calls on SADC leaders to prioritize the protection of young women and girls during crises like droughts. They urge immediate action to address migration and displacement, gender-based violence, health and nutrition, and educational disruption. The organization also stresses the importance of domesticating, adhering to, monitoring, and reporting on agreed gender equality and women’s empowerment principles to ensure effective protection during crises.
“The prevailing situation in the region demands a comprehensive gender analysis on the impact of the drought on women and girls, which is crucial to ensure that governments’ interventions do not miss the mark,” said Joy Mabenge, the Country Director of ActionAid Zimbabwe. “Additionally, authorities must prioritize the provision of flexible funding for women-led community protection initiatives.”
