All countries struggling to fight the coronavirus must consider the invisible link between gender inequality and climate crisis. This is the fact reported by the new UN report which is asking the government to understand these connections and frame the policies accordingly, so as to reduce the overall effects on the communities. The involvement of women in the fight against climate, and humanitarian crisis is inevitable, and the sooner it is realized, the sooner the positive effects of all the efforts by the individual and other organizations can be seen.
UN Environment Programme Executive Director, Inger Anderson said that climate crisis is not just about the environmental aspect, but it intertwines gender and security as well. The UNEP is doing their best to ensure that no one is left behind.
Women and Responsibilities in Crisis
The report - Gender, Climate, and Security: Sustaining Inclusive Peace on the Frontlines of Climate Change- includes data from all around the world. The report shows how gender norms and structures influence the effects of the crisis, as well as the response to it. Climate change has forced the men in countries like Sudan and Nepal to leave their hometowns in the search of work with a better wage, while the women of the family are left behind, with the responsibility of the whole house, he elderly and the children, in an environment, which is degrading to their physical and mental health. The roles of women are often left out when planning the development projects, and their association with the overall development of local communities.
Coronavirus Making Conditions Worse
The report states the pandemic is making the conditions even severe, impacting not only food supply, but livelihoods, security, and social relations. The development of underdeveloped countries is hampered, escalating violence, and creating economical imbalance.
“Strengthening the role of women in the management of natural resources also creates opportunities for them to act as peacebuilders and manage conflicts in non-violent manners,” said Oscar Fernández-Taranco, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support.
Fighting Inequality
The report calls for investment by the local governments and other organizations in gender equality and promoting women's empowerment. UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said quotes that climate change, gender inequality, and vulnerability are all related. Countries which has a higher ranking in any one of these categories automatically score well in the others. Though the initiative that is taken to strengthen the women empowerment movement still remains quite low. The administration hopes to cause the involvement of governments in helping the women realize their roles in peacebuilding, which is an essential thing to ensure sustainable growth for the countries.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who is the Executive Director at UN Women said that giving equal opportunities to women can lead to a better recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Women are a strong force that can rebuild a society with compassion. Empowering women will also generate vital income which will help the economies recover.
Source: UN
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