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Women central to climate change debate: UNFPA
Women must be part of the climate change debate, according to a new report from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Farmer in Africa
The report-Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate-is a call to action to governments to acknowledge the centrality of population dynamics, women, and health in the response to climate change, says Dr. Werner Haug, Director of UNFPA's Technical Division.
Speaking at the launch of the report in Geneva on Wednesday, Dr. Haug stated climate change is also a moral issue of equity and justice. He says "people-centred approaches" must also be included in climate change talks.
"This is why women, young people, and population should be an integral part of any agreement that emerges from Copenhagen or beyond-not as an afterthought or because it is politically correct, but because it is the right thing to do."
As women comprise the majority of the world's small farmers, the report finds they are already being affected by climate change in the form of droughts, floods, and disappearing forests. This is making it harder for them to secure water, food, and energy for their families.
As a result, girls are leaving school to help their mothers, and women are forced to leave their homes to secure livelihoods or are left behind when their husbands emigrate.
Dianne Penn, UN Radio.
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