Govt focusing on achieving sustainable gender equality
THE country is focusing on how to achieve sustainable gender equality in the context of climate change, its impact on women and ways to mitigate it, the Women’s Affairs deputy minister Jennifer Mhlanga has said.
Speaking to NewsDay recently, Mhlanga said women were lagging behind on climate change issues and there was need for action.
“The difference between men and women’s interaction with the environment and natural resources implies that their vulnerabilities differ. It is, therefore, imperative to make gender considerations in climate change, disaster risk reduction and environment conservation strategies,” she said.
Mhlanga said they were intensifying efforts to ensure the economic standing of women who have little or no economic income which is being aggravated by the unfavourable climatic conditions currently being experienced in the country.
“It is imperative that we economically empower women and girls as a sustainable way to achieve gender equality and this can be achieved through various empowerment programmes that my ministry and partners provide, such as access to finance and markets, capacity building, provision of technology and workspace amongst others,” she added.
Globally, calls have been continuously made to assist women as they bear the brunt of climate change almost single handedly.
According to UN Women, women and girls experience the greatest impacts of climate change, which amplifies existing gender inequalities and poses unique threats to their livelihoods, health and safety. Across the world, women depend more on, yet have less access to natural resources. In many regions, women bear a disproportionate responsibility for securing food, water and fuel.
“Agriculture is the most important employment sector for women in low and lower-middle income countries, during periods of drought and erratic rainfall, women, as agricultural workers and primary procurers, work harder to secure income and resources for their families. This puts added pressure on girls, who often have to leave school to help their mothers manage the increased burden,” says a statement by the UN Women.