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“Unless countries take deliberate efforts to integrate gender action plans in their national plans, to ensure they inform their planning and budgetary plans, gender responsive actions will remain theories.”
PACJA gender focal lead, Mrs. Belinda Okungu shared her expert perspective on the role of gender in addressing the effects of Climate change. Appearing at KTN news platform dubbed Planet Action, she stressed on the need to understand that Climate change is not gender neutral because women and men both alike are experiencing the effects of climate change.
“Women and girls are however disproportionately affected as they remain responsible for securing food, clean water and energy sources for their families. This puts them in a position where they experience unique challenges which vary from violence, maternal health issues, difficulties in land ownership due to the patriarchal nature of most African societies among other broader issues”, she said.
According to her, to achieve climate justice, we must leave no one left behind, the narratives must include both men and women and stop the cycle which has been propagated for years on the idea that gender refers to women. “Men are also being affected by the effects of climate change, where they are losing their livelihoods which then disallows them to have the ability to provide, mental wellness then is put at risk as stress and strenuous living situation continue to affect families across the board. She said
On the climate change policy front, Belinda Okungu advises that, “Unless countries take deliberate efforts to integrate gender action plans in their national plans, to ensure they inform their planning and budgetary plans, gender responsive actions will remain theories.” This also includes ensuring we have research that is gender responsive. The burden of climate change lies with us all and we must find ways to ensure that we do not get lost in biases that have been formed towards women’s needs and ensure that we are inclusive in all our undertaking in our efforts to achieve climate justice.
