Urban Heat: Pregnant Women's Struggle in South Africa

In a bustling township in Tshwane, South Africa, pregnant and postpartum women are facing a silent battle against rising temperatures. A recent study shed light on their daily struggles, revealing how they cope with extreme heat and the barriers they encounter. The study involved 14 women who participated in workshops during the peak of the hot season. They were given cameras to capture their experiences. Over two weeks, they took more than 300 photos, each telling a story of their daily life under the scorching sun. The photos and discussions highlighted three main issues: the health impacts of heat, the ways women cope, and the structural challenges they face. Many women chose to stay indoors on extremely hot days, where they had more control over their environment. However, cooling down their overheated babies proved to be a significant challenge, causing them distress.Simple cooling methods like bathing or using wet cloths were common, but these solutions were often not enough. The women faced obstacles such as poor housing materials that trap heat, lack of proper ventilation, and limited access to water and electricity. These issues led to a state where their efforts to adapt were not sufficient, a concept the study referred to as "un-coping. " The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted strategies to help these women adapt to the changing climate. Their experiences offer a unique perspective on the broader issue of climate resilience in urban areas.