Study says women suffer ‘differently’ in climate change, compared to men

A new study suggests that women suffer “differently” in climate change when compared to men, but the issue remains ignored.

Women have to cope with both increasing effects of climate change and increasing patterns of migration of their male partners.
 
Migration has been increasing with the upward trend of cyclones, floods and droughts.
 
Girl children are being married off before their houses are swept away by floods.
 
“Climate change is increasing the risk of child marriage,” UN Women Country Representative Christine Hunter said at a study-sharing seminar on Monday.
 
The new study was presented at that event in Dhaka.
 
The information was generated from the project on ‘Reducing Vulnerability of Women Affected by Climate Change through Viable Livelihood Options’, implemented by UN Women.
 
The Norwegian Embassy has supported this project since 2012.
 
The study found that most women living with children and other family members after their husbands migrated to cities “face adversity on a day-to-day basis”.
 
In some cases, migrated male family members could not or would not send money to their households, leaving the women to fend for themselves.
 
Women are sometimes looked down upon by the other members of their society due to the absence of male family members. Some even reported harassment and assault.
 
Existing gender discrimination exacerbated after their male partners migrated, the report said, as the climate impacts on women remained ignored in Bangladesh.
 
The study findings have been discussed just ahead of the climate summit in Paris beginning Nov 29.
 
Norway Ambassador Merete Lundemo said the main purpose of the study was to generate evidence and strengthen the knowledge base on the challenges and opportunities due to climate change.
 
The report suggested that any Union Parishad that has a disaster management committee should tackle the migration issues related to climate change.
 
This committee should organise logistics, including signing up for migration, locations to migrate to, transportation arrangements, and ways to send money to the family, the report recommended.
 
It also advised to have an effective monitoring system to track migrants and the amount of remittance being sent to their families.
 
It also suggested collaborative programmes to ensure that women who remain behind are also involved in the whole process of management.
 
Rokeya Kabir of Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, citing her personal experiences, said she saw how women faced difficulties with their attire, the saree, to swim ashore during the 80s floods.
 
“Our hurdles begin with the clothes we wear. We face difficulties in every aspect of our life. Climate change is only worsening the condition,” she lamented.