AR5: Mitigation of Climate Change

Gender reference

Chapter 3: Social, Economic, and Ethical Concepts and Methods

3.10.2.3 Women and climate change:

Women often have more restricted access to, and control of, the resources on which they depend than men. In many developing countries, most small-scale food producers are women. They are usually the ones responsible for collecting water and fuel and for looking after the sick. If climate change adversely affects crop production and the availability of fuel and water, or increases ill health, women may bear a disproportionate burden of those consequences (Dankelman, 2002; UNEP, 2011).55 On the other hand, they may be better at adapting to climate change, both at home and in the community. But given their traditional vulnerability, the role of women across society will need to be re-examined in a gender-sensitive manner to ensure they have equal access to all types of resources (Agostino and Lizarde, 2012).