The adverse effects of climate change, such as global warming, floods, malnutrition due to decline of biodiversity, lack of fresh water, wood and other resources, have a disproportional impact on poor people in developing countries. Women constitute the majority of the world’s poor thus making them the most dependent on natural resources.
Women and girls in rural areas are more vulnerable because  they tend to the basic family needs like securing water, food and fuel for cooking and heating. The time women spend seeking fuel wood and fresh water sources has dramatically increased due to deforestation and global warming. Because women and girls are forced to search farther afield for these resources, they face higher risks of injury, sexual harassment and violent attacks. This additional burden occurs on top of household and family responsibilities. As a result, women and girls have less time to earn money, obtain an education or engage in public activities.
National laws in some developing countries deny women the right to own or inherit land, which further limits their capacity to deal with environmental degradation and natural disasters. The lower a woman’s status in society is, the more limited is her access to health care, food and other help in times of disaster and environmental stress.
Women have a vital role to play in sustainability, disaster reduction and changing environmental strategies for the future. As stewards of natural resources their involvement and empowerment is essential. Sustainable development requires that women be provided with legal rights for land ownership, tenure and inheritance, access to education and access to reproductive health information. They must participate fully in the development of environmental policies and programs at all levels.
Are women in your country included in the decision making on the management of natural resources? How can we make sure women are part of the decision-making process on climate-change actions? Â Is your NFA involved in any environmental projects for women?
- Katerina Veverkova
For more information:
- Women, Gender Equality and Climate Change (Women Watch Fact Sheet)
- Gender Inequities in Environmental Health (European Environment and Health Committee)
- Women and Food Security (FAO)
Reports such as this leave many of us feeling helpless and ineffectual.
Where do we begin?
Our governments are dancing to their own tunes, as are those supposedly leading countries where these disproportionate standards are deemed acceptable.
We read, we listen and we learn then lobby our leaders for change, but this should not take so very long – how to get around this stumbling block?
Where do begin? Education and public policies frammed in gender equity approach.
We have to educate society, not ontly in schools and universities but in every corner and frame education in gender equity. At the same time, governments must state public policies in the same frame. So, politicians and educators doing team work. Does it sound posible? Kind of hard! but still, possible.
Climate change has not been too much in the news in Rwanda but it is recognised that it may have an adverse impact on the environment including the increased use of forests, marginal and protected land for human settlement and farming. Climate change is also likely to increase the problem of soil erosion unless remedial actions are taken.
Priorities for support suggested in Rwanda include
• Operationalise the bio-diversity policy.
• A sensitization campaign to alert the population about environmental issues.
• Adoption of renewable alternative energy solutions.
• Support for community involvement in tree planting schemes and terracing of hillsides.
• Measures to prevent further encroachment of human settlement into protected areas and wetlands.
I’m sorry for such a late reply but I have only just discovered this discussion.
Given the example set by the United Nations (19 men and 0 women on their Climate Change Finance Committee)it appears that involving women in decision making about Climate Change is certainly not happening at an international level! In New Zealand we have the example of the Government replacing a regional council with 5 women and 9 men with 6 male commissioners and 1 female commissioner. It appears that for Climate Change and the management of natural resources, like for so many other government appointed Boards, women will continue to be in a small minority unless we make our protest known.
I am interested in this question of “How can we make sure women are part of the decision-making process on climate-change actions?” and I hope that there will be some suggestions on this blog and also at our workshop at the IFUW conference:
Women, Lifestyle and Climate Change: Compromise for Planetary Survival
Using the World Café style conversational process we will link and synthesise ideas of ‘eco-friendly’ changes women can make in their daily lifestyle. We will produce action lists of initiatives for individuals, branches and national associations. Members will be challenged to eco-change prior to conference via the IFUW Environmental Network.
Regarding actions by our local Branch:
In March, the Otago Branch of NZFGW had Judge Shonagh Kenderdine, an Environment Court judge from Wellington,speak addressing the topic of “Climate Change: A Perspective from the Environment Court”. Linda Robertson (our meeting co-ordinator) provided the following summary of Shonagh’s talk:
“The talk was an account of the many issues that will arise from the ongoing climate changes and was illustrated with New Zealand scenarios. One major concern was that of people being heard. There were references to the cost of battling with well-established and polished corporate groups and their lawyers and concerns about the willingness of local councils to listen to the voice of the people and to consult in a timely fashion (or in a meaningful way). It was emphasised that informed people were needed to join local sustainability groups. Topics such as coastal risk, coastal policies and the problems with rigid structures such as sea walls, renewable energy initiatives, the importance of avoiding sedimentation and developing the wetlands were touched on. It was suggested that a critical stance on future planning was essential to the future of New Zealand with examples such as promoting suitable farming to maintain the land; the inevitable move of many Pacific people to New Zealand when they lose their homes due to the rise in sea levels; being aware of hazard zones and planning in advance to manage these. The value of information sharing was stressed to educate people about these issues.”
Hearing Shonagh speak stimulated a lot of conversation about these issues. I am hoping that this will be picked up upon and will lead to further action by both Otago and NZFGW.
I look forward to reading further responses on this blog and warmly invite all interested members going to Mexico to attend our workshop.
Further to my comment above, I would like to draw your attention to the excellent letter sent by our NZFGW National Executive CIR, Claire Matthewson, to the New Zealand Ministers for the Environment and Climate Change and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Women’s Affairs. It can be viewed at: http://www.nzfgw.org.nz/nationalexecutive.htm (it is in the May newsletter).
I would also like to commend IFUW’s action of writing to the United Nations advocating gender equality in all UN appointed committees.