STRUCTURAL inequalities, gender-based violence and discrimination exacerbate impacts of climate change.
Speaking to women from across the country converging at Vunisea Secondary School in Kadavu for the Women Defend Commons’ symposium, Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation Mereseini Vuniwaqa said women commonly faced greater risks and burdens from the impacts of climate change.
Mrs Vuniwaqa told women that climate change had gender differentiated impacts.
“Extreme weather events, rising sea levels, threats to water and food production, all have differential impacts on the lives of men and women,” she said.
“Women and men have different capabilities, opportunities and access to resources to facilitate the adaptation to changing climate which adversely impacts the availability of food and water.
“Due to historical discrimination and biases in both the formal and informal labour markets as well as cultural and social practices, have less assets, income and savings to deal with loss and damage from extreme weather events.”
Also speaking at the event, Diverse Voices and Action’s (DIVA) For Equality co-ordinator Viva Tatawaqa said they had identified during a recent regional meeting that the biggest gap affecting women was the absence of their voices from the discourse on climate change.
Over 30 women representatives from across the country are in Kadavu attending a eight-day symposium organised by DIVA For Equality.
