The worlds poor, the majority of whom are women, are encumbered disproportionately. Gender and climate change capacity development series. Gender, climate change, and access to land and agricultural assets as of 2010, only 15% of land in subsaharan africa is managed by women, despite the fact that access to land. Applying intersectionality to our climate change response. Africa is experiencing the impacts of climate change, yet there is wide variation in the capacity of women and men to adequately cope with its effects. Gendercc women for climate justice is a global network of organisations, experts and activists working for gender equality, womens rights and climate justice. Find out more about the final declaration of the womens and gender constituencies of the cop25 climate change conference in. The advent of climate change and its effects, which have continued to impact rural livelihoods and especially food security, demands. This means that the chances of achieving a better life for many women and girls are threatened by a double injustice. Gender and climate change africa policy brief 4 the agriculture sector is predicted to come under substantial stress from climate changeinduced increases in temperature, variability in rainfall and extreme weather events that could trigger crop failures, pest and disease outbreaks, and the degradation of land and water resources. Contribute to capacitybuilding initiatives on addressing. While women in south africa are represented in the government at national and provincial level, there are not many women in government at a municipal level. This blog was originally posted by the african development bank afdb here.
Gender and climate change capacity development series africa 7 gender, agriculture and food security training module 4 water scarcity, climate change and agriculture benin video link 3. Gender in climate change, agriculture, and natural. Adaptation, mitigation and governance challenges tional climate change negotiations can be remedied by concerted action on the part of african leaders in the copenhagen round of negotiations. The chapter further assesses the importance of integrating and mainstreaming gender into africa s national adaptations plans of actions napas, and intended nationally distributed contributions indcs, and the need for better gender oriented climate change policies, programs and plans. Ooidentify specific gender based inequalities that contribute towards the disproportionate exposure and vulnerability of women to the effects of climate change, and the role of women as key agents of change in climate responses. Undp, africa adaptation experiences gender and climate change. Across africa, policy and special initiatives have aimed to incorporate gender inequality in the face of climate change 2. Stocktaking of gender and climate change initiatives in africa.
Global gender and climate alliance africa is experiencing the impacts of climate change, yet there is wide variation in the capacity of women and men to adequately cope with its effects. Women, gender equality and biodiversity in the context of climate change according to the millennium ecosystem assessment, climate change is likely to. May 22, 2019 gender mainstreaming was acknowledged as an indispensable strategy for achieving gender equality at the 1995 beijing platform for action. Nov 25, 2019 the banks department of gender, women and civil society, as well as its climate change and green growth department, has been mobilizing funding from the climate investment funds cif to strengthen capacity to address the interlinkages between gender and climate change in the work of bank staff and the african cif pilot countries. The global mean temperature in this region is to increase by 1. Since then, governments have made substantial efforts in developing gender responsive policies and implementation strategies. Results confirm that women play an important role in supporting households and communities to cope and adapt to climate. An extension activity focused on identifying entry points for integrating research findings on gender and climate change into programs and projects by implementing partners engaged in climate change adaptation projects in africa south of. Central africa, for the most part, is landlocked and is geographically threatened by climate change. Project successes in morocco and ghana offer lessons in. However, for women and girls in particular, many of whom spend a disproportionate amount of time searching for food, fuel and water, or struggling to grow crops the differentiated impact is tremendous. Africas commitment to ensuring gender equality in the face of climate change dr. Gender in climate change, agriculture, and natural resource policies. Ukafrica summit ignored gender, climate, and poverty.
Afdb climate change, gender and development in africa. In fact, in 46 of africas nations, women account for at least 40% of agricultural workers. Climate change is brutal for everyone, but worse for women. Gender and climate change 1 overview of linkages between. Gender and climate change africa jan 7, 2014 one of the pressing challenges in addressing the gender dimensions of climate change in developing countries is the need for greater national expertise on gender and climate change. No continent will be struck as severely by the impacts of climate change as africa.
Jan 07, 2014 gender and climate change africa jan 7, 2014 one of the pressing challenges in addressing the gender dimensions of climate change in developing countries is the need for greater national expertise on gender and climate change and on broader issues of sustainable development. Nov 26, 2019 a mong the lesser studied effects of climate change are the social and economic impacts on women nitya rao, professor of gender and development at university of east anglia has been studying. The previous section highlighted the importance of agricultural and environment based livelihoods to africas economic development, and in particular the major. Although the research base is wide and growing every day. Nov 25, 2019 today in the journal nature climate change, researchers published an analysis of 25 studies looking at how climate change is imperiling the agency of women in africa and asia. The 2015 paris agreement recognizes gender equality and womens empowerment as a guiding. Gender and climate change africa jan 7, 2014 one of the pressing challenges in addressing the gender dimensions of climate change in developing countries is the need for greater national expertise on gender and climate change and on broader issues of sustainable development. Find out more about gendercc and how to get involved. Gender and climate change africa policy brief 1 by. Current thinking, new directions, and research frontiers. Gender, climate change and development nexus in africa. Gender and climate change africa gender, climate change and food security 2 policy brief 4 agriculture is central to the livelihoods of women it is now widely acknowledged that climate change impacts will not be gender neutral.
Inclusion of gender in africas climate change policies. Dorothy amwata, kenya how policy and planning can be better informed by research on the gender dimensions of climate change adaptation dr. This is the first webinar series for the inclusive climate change adaptation for a sustainable africa iccasa project. Effects of climate change in africa basic facts on gender equality gender differentiated impacts of climate change need and options for gender sensitive responses to climate change the module first outlines learning objectives and what users are expected to know when the training concludes part ii.
The recently launched inclusive climate change adaptation for a sustainable africa iccasa project aims to understand and integrate gender in climate change adaptation planning and implementation. This paper argues that a binary construction of gender women vs men is likely to overlook the most important challenges of agrarian populations, and may increase vulnerability rather than. From sensitivity to responsiveness governments, institutions and agencies are increasingly recognizing the need to mainstream gender into climate change policies and planning, including for adaptation and mitigation. Moreover, adaptation studies as opposed to vulnerability studies tend to address gender issues more. While some correlation is evident between poverty and undernourishment, there is an important variation among countries. Bridge development gender institute of development studies university of sussex. Catastrophic storms, of increased frequency and strength, are destroying lives, homes and businesses. In the context of the significant attention to climate change at global level, debates regarding identification of gender perspectives and the involvement of women in addressing climate change have arisen. Dec 12, 2014 right now, the effects of climate change are already being felt by people across africa. Climate change, gender and development in africa african.
Gender mainstreaming was acknowledged as an indispensable strategy for achieving gender equality at the 1995 beijing platform for action. Gender dimensions of climate change earth journalism network. Inform national policies and regional initiatives on how to address the gendered dimensions of climate change in africa. Build a concrete body of knowledge on gender and climate change in order to promote a greater understanding of the gendered dimensions of climate change. Similarly, the green climate funds gender policy supports gendersensitive approaches in. Gender and climate change 4 gender, agriculture and food. In africa, the african union is committed to addressing climate change issues with a gender perspective.
Gender, health and climate change it has been widely recognised that the rising water levels associated with climate change will lead to an increase in water borne diseases. Katowice, poland, 10 december, 2018 womens voice is critical, from local to the national, in planning and implementation. These impacts are likely to be felt more acutely at the individual level, as agriculture is the mainstay of 70 percent of the continents 1 billion. Economic brief climate change, gender and development in. Impacts on farming households and gendered response strategies chapter pdf available december 2018. Climate change is a global challenge that burdens all of humanity, but not equally. Understand the importance of incorporating gender considerations into adaptation responses to climate change 1. Although the research base is wide and growing every day, this fact sheet centers on a select group of themes in literature around gender and climate change in africa, including agriculture, forests, water scarcity, migration, and food. By 2020, it is projected that yields from rainfed agriculture in some countries could be reduced by up to 50 percent. Men and women respond differently to climate change and subsequently also to adaptation measures, which can affect men and women unequally, when the gender perspective is ignored in the policy.
Gender and climate change capacity development series africa overview of linkages between gender and climate change 6 training module 1 iv what does gender have to do with climate change. Climate change is intrinsically linked to poverty, impacting the lives of the worlds poorest people the most. Understanding the relationship between climate change and gender will support effective climate change adaptation polices and initiatives on the continent. Gender and climate change in africa facts from gender. Overview of linkages between gender and climate change. Jan 14, 2020 the global climate crisis is not gender neutral. Womxn account for six out of ten of the worlds poorest, and two thirds of the worlds illiterate.
The african union gender policy and forthcoming climate change strategy, together present an opportunity to ensure that implementation of the paris agreement in africa contributes to gender equality. According to the climate change vulnerability index for 2015, seven of the ten countries. Gender and climate change capacity development series africa. In southern africa, some 12 million people currently face severe food insecurity across nine countries as a result of drought, cyclones, and floods. Climate change is a particular threat to continued economic growth and to livelihoods of vulnerable populations. The link between climate change, gender and development in. Women, gender equality and biodiversity in the context of climate change according to the millennium ecosystem assessment, climate change is likely to become the dominant driver for the loss of. Increasingly more south africans recognise the seriousness of climate change, and the threats it poses to our survival. How climate change exacerbates gender inequality across the. Africas commitment to integrating gender in climate change. Climate change tends to exacerbate existing gender inequalities. A changing climate poses risks for all of humanity. Climate change and its effects are not gender neutral. Consequently, african countries have formulated their respective climate change policies.
Across africa, the changing climate adversely impacts the lives and livelihoods of women, men, and their families. With particular attention to south africa, this study aims to examine the interrelations between climate change and gender so as to make a contribution to the existing information gap on the. Africas commitment to integrating gender in climate. In uganda, femaleheaded households and wives of male farmers are significantly less likely to adopt drought tolerant maize than male farmers, which. Applying intersectionality to our climate change response ijr. Understand the overall gender dimensions of climate change in africa sisters of the planet martina uganda video link. The study shows that women in south africa are very knowledgeable and innovative with regards to coping with the impacts of the changing climate. Aug 22, 2018 research, policy, and other initiatives can help close this gap by clearly linking climate change and gender.
Women, more than men, are exposed to environment linked. Development programme undp has developed a series of training modules and policy briefs on gender and. West africa has been identified as a climate change hotspot, with climate change likely to lessen crop yields and production, with resultant impacts on food security. Unpacking the gender and climate change nexus in africa.
It documents evidence for gender differences in health risks that are likely to be exacerbated by climate change, and in adaptation and mitigation measures that can help to protect and promote health. A closer look at existing evidence published by the global gender and climate alliance ggca africa is experiencing the impacts of climate change, yet there is wide variation in the capacity of women and men to adequately cope with its effects. Register for the first webinar series for the inclusive climate change adaptation for a sustainable africa iccasa project on july 12. It is also intrinsically linked to gender, as we know from our work that women and girls are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the climate catastrophe, and all over the world, women and girls are losing their homes as a result. Agriculture is essential to the malawian economy and is a key livelihood activity but it is vulnerable to climate change. Climate change represents the most complex challenge of our time it requires a concerted, proactive and holistic response.
The drought that currently affects the western and eastern cape provinces and the scarcity of water that plagues south africa, generally is a consequence of mixed variables that include manmade climate change, i. Around the world, women and girls are on the front line of changing weather patterns disproportionately shouldering the costs and burdens. Gender and climate change adaptation in agrarian settings. In 2009, the cedaw committee issued a statement on gender and climate change, expressing concern about the absence of a gender perspective in the united nations framework convention on climate. Sea level rise have put lowlying areas and island nations at risk. Given its geographical position, the continent will be particularly vulnerable due to the considerably limited adaptive capacity, and exacerbated by widespread poverty.
This is followed by a thematic examination of the key issues related to gender and climate change in africa which include women as consumers, access to land and natural resources, agricultural production and food security, health aspects, security issues and adaptation and mitigation support. Evidence shows that the change in temperature has affected the health, livelihoods, food productivity, water availability, and overall security of the african people. Climate change therefore magnifies existing inequalities, reinforcing the disparity between women and men in their vulnerability to and capability to cope with climate change. Due to its high climate variability and rainfed agriculture, central africa is expected to experience longer and more frequent heatwaves as well as an increase in wet extremes. Overview of linkages between gender and climate change undp.
Due to gender based roles in society, and the inequities caused by them, the climate affects women, men, and the young differently, resulting in various levels of vulnerability. Gender and climate change in africa facts from gender and. We must ensure women are given the skills tools and finance to address the climate change challenge, mafalda duarte, head of the climate investment funds, urged. Contextualising and conceptualising gender and climate. Africa, which constitutes percent of the global population, contributes the least to greenhouse gas ghg emissions, but bears the brunt of climate change. Training module 1 ii objectives oounderstand the overall gender dimensions of climate change in africa. This brief summarizes research on key gender related findings regarding climate change perceptions, adaptation strategies and information needs based on an intrahousehold survey of women and men in rakai in southcentral uganda, one of the sites where the cgiar research program on climate change, agriculture and food security ccafs is working. On the one hand, women are disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which could, in turn, exacerbate existing gender disparities. As climate change worsens in developing countries, threatening in particular the livelihoods of families heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture, women around the world can expect to face even greater hurdles in achieving sufficient education, greater economic opportunities, and gender equality. It may also restrict options for climate change mitigation.
World bank, social dimensions of climate change, 2010. Gender in climate change, agriculture, and natural resource. Gender inequality results from different gender roles what we deem appropriate behaviour for men and women in society. The global transformation underway is also increasingly exposing a fundamental yet often hidden factor complicating matters. Gender and climate change in africa facts from gender and climate change. Jan 23, 2020 ukafrica summit ignored gender, climate, and poverty concerns, advocates say. There is a regional differential in the predicted impacts of climate change. This is evident from current experiences of extreme climatic events such as droughts and floods. Climate change adaptation in africa ccaa le programme. Gender inequality may dramatically limit the resilience and adaptive capacity of women, families and communities. As african countries develop climate change policies and programs, it is critical to make gender equitable plans in mitigation and adaptation actions. The gender, climate change and nutrition gcan integration initiative supported by usaids feed the future program works with usaid missions and partners to enhance understanding of the linkages between climate, gender, and nutrition to more effectively address gender inequality, improve nutrition outcomes, and increase climate resilience. The advent of climate change and its effects, which have continued to impact rural livelihoods. Lessons can be drawn from their knowledge on how women can be better assisted to adapt to climate change.