Birthing at Burning Places: An ethnographic exploration of intersections among climate-linked risks, maternal nutritional health, and cultural practices in Sindh Pakistan

Extreme weather and natural disasters contribute to a wide range of health, food, and nutritional risks, particularly in low—and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. Women are the largest and most vulnerable unduly groups of victims who suffer the most from such disasters. Pregnancy and childbirth exacerbate these vulnerabilities further. The health of mothers is not just a healthcare issue. It is deeply connected to power imbalances, cultural norms, and practices. Similarly, the environmental changes we are witnessing raise important questions about the relationship between nature and culture. Gender dynamics, social class, and cultural norms significantly affect pregnant women and mothers' ability to access, use, and manage food and nutrition. These dynamics also contribute to the disproportionate impact of climate change events on women’s health. Given that maternal health-related targets in Pakistan are falling short of the Sustainable Development Goals, research providing an in-depth understanding of intersectional influences on maternal health, nutrition and climate change is urgently needed to inform the development of interventions to enhance women’s and families’ health and wellbeing. This project aims to co-produce community-based solutions to improve maternal nutritional health by exploring the intersections between maternal nutritional health, cultural practices, and climate-related risks through ethnographic research.