Indonesian Women's Climate and Health Information Needs

Abstract

Women, as primary caregivers, play a central role in promoting health in Indonesian households. Given the disproportionate vulnerabilities of women and children in the context of climate change, access to climate and health information is essential to help avoid illness during floods or heatwaves. Through semi-structured interviews, women expressed concerns over the lack of accessible public information on climate change impacts, particularly regarding their children's health, and emphasized the need for education on climate change's health effects. Respiratory issues, skin conditions, and fatigue were commonly reported. Trusted sources of information included healthcare centres, the government, and community networks, with information delivery often via the Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency and community's WhatsApp posts. The findings highlight the importance of leveraging community-based communication, particularly audio-visual and interactive methods, to improve women's climate change education and preparedness at the local level.

Keywords: Women; children; climate change; digital technology; health; resilience.