Climate Tribune Dhaka Tribune | THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021
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Dhaka Tribune | THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021
Climate Tribune
ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY
2 Thursday, March 25, 2020 Thursday, March 25, 2020
3
Many organizations including gov- Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). She model for her family and community.
ernment, national and international congratulated the women climate The youth CSO leader from BINDU
non-government organizations, pri- champions for their inspiring and Nari Unnayan Shongothon (Satkhira)
Finally at COP vate sectors, and the United Nations brilliant work to bring about positive Jannatul Mawa said, “I wanted to create
25, Parties are implementing different programs
and initiatives to reduce the inequali-
change in their society despite hav-
ing so many challenges. She said, “It
a space only for women, where wom-
en would have a space for leadership,
agreed a five- ties as well as to ensure gender equality is necessary to inspire our young girls, and they would play a crucial role as a
year Enhanced
through a transformative feminist ap- provide them opportunities to learn decision maker. We have to work hard
proach both at local and national level from real life experiences, its tools and to create everything the way we want
Lima work to benefit women from climate actions. techniques, as the fire is there, they to, nothing is ready for us at the initial
Considering the concept “Leaving No just need something to push them for- stage. One thing to keep in mind is, I
programme on One Behind”, UN Women is working ward to go beyond their own fears, so- am not a woman, I am a human being.
gender, and its with the most marginalized groups of
women from the most climate vulnera-
cial barriers which will give them more
strength to succeed.”
If everyone else in society can do it, so
can I”.
Gender Action ble districts in Bangladesh to achieve an Lipika Rani Boiragi from Association All the speakers at the event empha-
Plan inclusive and sustainable development
that creates a synergy between the Sus-
for Social Development and Distressed
Welfare (ASDDW), Dacope, Khulna has
sised the importance of bringing a para-
digm shift into the narratives portraying
tainable Development Goal 5: Gender been working for the women and girls women leaders as mere victims, instead
Equality and Goal 13: Climate Actions. of Dacope for more than 20 years. She highlighting the strength and achieve-
Accordingly, UN Women has been has introduced two pilot projects with ments of women in combating climate
developing leadership capacity of her own little fund and small private change. Women and girls who suffer the
grassroots women’s organizations and donation: (1) Mobile stove (eco-friendly most from climatic impacts and yet who
the women leaders by enhancing their stove), which she distributed amongst adapt with those impacts on the daily
knowledge base about the develop- her community women to popularise, basis and those women who show the
girls have been marginalized in climate ments in the climate change field as well (2) rain water harvesting in the ground- way with their leadership need to be ac-
change policies, strategies and actions. as promoting their local knowledge and well for use in dry season for irrigation. knowledged. We need to learn from and
According to an ASEAN Gender Out- skills. UN Women believes that it’s cru- Without any scientific knowledge, or celebrate all the women climate leaders
look, women depend largely on natural cial to put women in the driving seat of
resources which are highly affected by adaptation to climate change for which
climate change. enabling policies and strategies are crit-
Women in South East Asia are en- ical.
gaged in agriculture: 64% in Lao PDR, There are so many stories of courage,
39% in Viet Nam and 34% in Cambodia; strength, sacrifice, and dedication of in-
others simply rely on natural resources numerable women, that have made dif-
when they cannot access assets; howev- ferences to the lives of so many women
er, over 85% of agricultural land holders and their communities to survive disas-
PIXABAY are men; Land degradation has prompt-
ed urban migration on the part of men
ter and climatic shocks. They include:
Lipika Rani Boiragi, from Association
Many organizations including
and a feminization of agriculture; 28% for Social Development and Distressed government, national and international
non-government organizations, private
of women live in households that pri- Welfare at Dacope, Khulna; Jannatul
The critical roles played by the
marily use wood as cooking fuel. Mawa, of BINDU Nari Unnayan Shon-
Climate change, including aridity gothon, from Kaligonj Upazila of Sat- sectors, and the United Nations are
and flooding, is intensifying women’s khira; Afroza Begum Alpona, the Vice
implementing different programs and
women climate champions
vulnerability, and increasing their water Chairman of Union Parishad and mem-
and firewood collection times. The sce-
nario is no different in the South Asian
ber of Disaster Management Commit-
tee from Kurigram; Masura Parvin, the
initiatives to reduce the inequalities
region, and in Bangladesh we see the Unit Leader of Cyclone Preparedness
unfolding of the crisis very vividly. In Program (CPP) volunteers from Pod-
Despite all the adversarial policy context, and battered by climate change, women at the South West coast women and girls dopukur of Satkhira.
the grassroots level have been continuing to work in climate adaptation in order to spend on average more than an hour
each day for water collection; accord-
Organized jointly by UN Women and
ICCCAD at the Gobeshona conference
adapt with the fast-changing climatic realities to survive. ing to a 2016 FAO report more than 50% this year, the session titled, ‘Untold
of agri-labour are women; most of the tales of Women Champions in Climate related education, and necessary fund- and activists and take pride in them to
n Dilruba Haider and Priodarshine Change’ jointly organized by UN Wom-
en and International Centre for Climate
nations came into force on March 21,
1994. It took UNFCCC 20 years to come
2013 to support Parties to track progress
on gender balance to promote a gen-
women in rural households especially
in rural areas depend on fuel-wood. All
Change’ celebrated the stories of re-
al-life climate champions. A total of
ing, she went on and undertook such
locally led adaptation initiative for her
go forward in our journey towards a
world where climate change policies
“I
Auvi
Change and Development (ICCCAD) at up with the Lima Work Program on der-sensitive climate policy. these aspects, drinking water, wood-fu- six stories of grassroots women, one community. and actions are gender responsive that
can do the work of 10 men the annual Gobeshona Global Confer- Gender (LWPG) in 2014 to advance gen- The 2019 report showed that 5 out of el, nature-based agriculture where national level and two international Afroza Begum Alpona, the vice chair- benefit women and men and gender di-
alone, people say I have no ence on January 23. Masura represents der balance and integrate gender con- 15 constituted bodies of UNFCCC had women’s engagement is the highest, are level climate leaders shared their sto- man of Union Parishad and a member verse people equally. l
fear. During cyclone Bul- innumerable women working at the siderations into climate change policies female representation exceeding 38%, hugely affected by climate change. ries. The objective of the event was to of Disaster Management Committee,
bul, I was the only woman grass roots level in Bangladesh braving and actions. while in 2018 it was 8 out of 13 consti- Despite all the adversarial poli- bring the women climate champions in Kurigram Sadar was also a Municipal Dilruba Haider is working in UN Women as
volunteer with the all men CPP volun- the adversities of nature worsened by Finally at COP 25, Parties agreed tuted bodies reaching that threshold. cy context, and battered by climate one platform to share their experience, Commissioner and Panel Mayor in her Programme Specialist, DRR, Climate Change
teer group in the middle of the disaster climate change, as an everyday battle. a five-year Enhanced Lima work pro- In 2020 the ratio came down further change, women at the grassroots level and learn from their challenges, to fight locality. She has had an indomitable and Humanitarian Actions, her expertise is
working; I even carried disabled chil- Unfortunately, in the climate change gramme on gender, and its Gender Ac- to 35%. Thus, instead of progression have been continuing to work in climate against the climate change crisis, and passion since her childhood to engage in Climate Change and Gender Equality. Can
dren on my shoulder to cyclone shel- arena, women’s leadership has been tion Plan. Also, in terms of participation there has been a regression in female adaptation in order to adapt with the disasters from local, national, and glob- in voluntary community work; thus she be reached at dilruba.haider@unwomen.org
ter,” said Masura Parvin, Unit Leader downplayed for a long time. The Unit- in UNFCCC processes women’s partici- representation on constituted bodies fast-changing climatic realities to sur- al levels. received training from Red Crescent, Priodarshine Auvi is working in UN Women
of Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) ed Nations Framework Convention on pation has not been very encouraging. that formulate climate change policies vive. In the process women have been The webinar was chaired by Saima Fire Service and Civil Defense. Now she as Programme Analyst, in Climate Change
in Satkhira at a webinar titled, ‘Untold Climate Change (UNFCCC), the climate UNFCCC has been publishing gender in UNFCCC. achieving wonderful feats in climate Wazed, Founder of Shuchana Foun- looks after nine unions which consist and Gender Equality. Can be reached at
Tales of Women Champions of Climate change treaty, signed by 197 states and composition reports annually since The hardest hit group, ie women and change adaptation. dation and Thematic Ambassador of of eighty-one wards. She is now a role priodarshine.auvi@unwomen.org
4 Thursday, March 25, 2020 Thursday, March 25, 2020
5
Celebrating women climate
able to do more to combat them if from Satkhira has also joined the global
they were often included in the deci- movement and demonstrated her lead-
sion-making process. According to re- ership in mobilizing hundreds of grass-
champions of the global south
ports women only made up less than roots people, especially women and
23% of the United Nations Framework young people, in demanding urgent
Convention on Climate Change (UN- climate action. With the support of
Since 2014, FCCC) national climate delegation ActionAid Bangladesh, she organizes
Women would be able to do more to combat the effects of climate change if they were women have been heads in 2018, suggesting that if not ad-
dressed, gender parity in the negotia-
weekly climate movements, environ-
mental actions, and awareness build-
often included in the decision-making process the public face tions will not be reached until 2042 ac- ing sessions with young people in her
of the climate cording to Women’s Environment and
Development Organization (WEDO).
community and provides support in re-
sponding to climate induced disasters.
movement When it comes to ground action, I Jannatul’s ongoing climate movement
feel proud and obliged to see how wom- has captured global media attention
en are empowered to take up responsi- and continues to campaign for both cli-
n Farah Kabir tect their lives. It is in poor communities, it is the bilities and action in various capacities mate and gender justice.
E
also about having women and young peo- be it leading emergency response and While we celebrate our women lead-
ver since coun- women’s voices ple who are most- adaptation actions or organizing cam- er’s achievement, it is now more crucial
tries have in climate debates ly affected due to paign initiatives to voice their rights for us to work for scaling up the efforts
recognized and conversations, not having enough in both national and global level. This to bring transformational change in the
and came into especially in the support and bur- year two Bangladeshi climate women society that facilitates women’s leader-
agreement about the im- global south where dened with soci- champions were awarded for their out- ship. Climate change itself and related
portance of women’s par- women work daily etal pressure. Social standing leadership on climate action policies are likely to have wide-ranging
ticipation in climate action to sustain their fami- norms demand that at the Annual Global Gobeshona Con- effects on gender relations, especially
at the 2015 United Na- lies. As a feminist and women, especially ference. in developing countries. Poor women
someone who believes mothers, act as the pri- Lake Begum, face a number of gender-specific barri-
in climate and ecological mary providers of food a farmer from ers that limit their ability to cope with
justice, it is all about build- for their families, which Gaibandha is tak- and adapt to a changing climate; these Growing
ing trustworthy relations,
threading common strategies,
can be harder to man-
age under conditions like
ing leadership
in climate action
must be removed in the interests of
both gender equity and adaptation effi-
vegetables at
and amplifying the lived reali- floods and droughts. Ad- and she is an in- ciency. At the same time, gender anal- homestead,
ties of people on the frontline of ditionally, violence against spiration for many ysis should be integral to the appraisal
tions climate change. It is also about women, found in numerous women farmers who of public policies designed to reduce producing organic
Climate
C h a n g e
having solidarity as the founda-
tion of how we work,
researches, increases after a
natural disaster because of in-
are involved in agricul-
tural activities. With the
carbon emissions.
In all these years of being a climate
fertilizers, and
Conference, support of ActionAid Bang- justice activist and working with Ac- selling them at
significant pro-
gress has been made
ladesh, she learned about
agroecology practices (more
tionAid it has become entrenched in
my understanding and actions that
the local market
by women across the popularly known as climate re- local and indigenous communities are some of the
initiatives she has
globe. From leading the silient sustainable agriculture should be at the center of conversa-
global negotiation pro- approach) which helped increase tions around climate change. Women
cess to taking action at and or- her preparedness to withstand the and the youth have a key role to play undertaken after
community level, or be it ganize working impacts of climate change. Growing in seeking solutions. Their voices
scientific research or ac- together, to end vegetables at homestead, producing must be heard, and the solutions they her training
tivist voice, women have climate inequalities. creased organic fertilizers, and selling them propose should be considered and
demonstrated their leader- The climate crisis of- traumatic at the local market are some of the in- implemented. Women are far more
ship and continue to do so fers a lens to understand stress, scar- itiatives she has undertaken after her likely to be affected by the impacts
in the fight against climate intersecting forms of inher- city of basic training. For her ongoing hard work, of climate change compared to men.
change. Women, especially from ent injustices on this planet. supplies, and de- she was recognized by local govern- We must recognize that investing in
the global south, are making re- Therefore, it is important to have struction of author- ment and assigned a role at commu- women led solutions is the pathway
markable differences in their com- gender equality—which is more than itative systems. nity level under a number of climate to achieve climate and gender justice.
munity which includes participation just equality between men and wom- Nevertheless, things relevant committees. Lake is working Therefore, policy formulation and
in the decision making process and en—and human rights at the center of started moving towards as a facilitator at ActionAid’s agroe- programme implementation cannot
mobilizing themselves in taking initi- how we work to achieve climate jus- a positive direction that too cology school in Lalmonirhat where be done without women’s participa-
atives to address the ongoing climate tice. under women’s leadership. Since she trains and shares knowledge with tion specially to address the impacts
crisis. They set out as an example to be Since the ambitious goal of 1.5°C 2014, women have been the public other local farmers in adopting sus- of climate change. We must recognize
the finest climate leaders during trying was set under the Paris Agreement face of the climate movement. They tainable agriculture practice. She is that there will be no climate justice
times in building resilience to protect to limit warming below 2°C, women led the first People’s Climate March, also working with other women farm- without gender justice. l
their family and communities. participation and leadership has been which attracted over 400,000 people ers to enhance women’s market ac-
Climate justice to me means un- crucial and instrumental in achieving worldwide, where most of them were cess and advocating for farmer’s right Farah Kabir is the Country Director of
derstanding how climate change af- climate justice. If we investigate the women. Female participation in cli- to fair price. ActionAid Bangladesh. She has been the Chair
fects different categories of people climate impacts on women, they reveal mate protests has increased over the When Greta Thunberg started her of the Global Board of the Global Network of
based on their sex, location in the and reinforce deep existing inequality past five years as more young people movement for demanding climate jus- Disaster Risk Reduction (GNDR) since 2015
world, nature of employment or within the society. Women are known are getting involved for demanding tice, we witnessed a surge of young and is currently an elected Board Member of
income status, and how the same to be disproportionately affected by justice. Activism is an important part people joining the movement from Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA).
group of people mobilize them- the impacts of climate change. When of bringing awareness to the effects of every part of the globe. Jannatul Mou- She focuses on climate justice for women on
selves in building resilience to pro- climate induced disasters take place climate change, but women would be wa, a young emerging climate activist the frontline of climate change.
PIXABAY
6 Thursday, March 25, 2020 Thursday, March 25, 2020
7
LLA is only about community of the Covid 19 pandemic has been on
“engagement” and community the livelihoods of informal workers who
“participation” form the bulk of 50-60% of the cities
This comes from a development para- population in the global south. By treat-
digm influenced by the state’s non-en- ing LLA as merely wanting to create
gagement with local voices from poorer “Impact” misses out on acknowledging
communities. However, while engage- the tug of power relationships between
ment with vulnerable groups is neces- the different actors who are not on the
sary, it is not a sufficient ingredient for same level playing field. Top-down
bringing deeper change. Within LLA, planning often fails to capture the re-
there is the aspiration for a set of local ality on the ground and the very reason
actors to work together and redefine for the inability for vulnerable commu-
the present dysfunctional relationships nities and cities to adapt. Development
between vulnerable communities, es- work done correctly includes adapta-
pecially women and local authority. tion. Development work gone wrong in-
A singular focus on external finance
The process of finding solutions that creases climate risks and vulnerability;
are workable for women opens up the for example, large and small infrastruc-
space for women to influence their ture projects like building walls, dykes without considering and investing
agenda. Devolving decision-making to etc. can create more “maladaptation”.
the lowest level means going beyond in building capacity and quality of
traditional leadership patterns, building
the capability of women and young peo-
More “finances” will lead to better LLA
Finances are essential. The history of
the local organizations to manage
ple to become influential local actors, development efforts demonstrates that and mobilize domestic resources will
capable of participating in designing
solutions and implementing projects
without adequate and sustained levels
of investment (in all forms) develop-
not produce the necessary long term
that influence their climate-related and ment simply does not occur. While fi- adaptation response
overall development needs. The LLA nance is a necessary condition it is far
process hence has the scope to create a from sufficient. External financing can
safe learning environment for vulnera- be maximized when it has the capacity
PIXABAY ble communities, especially women to to engage with robust internal/ local fi-
participate and lead along with other nancial systems (formal and informal).
Making LLA workable for the urban
local actors. Financial resources on their own are of
little help in the absence of strong local
LLA is about “strengthening” and institutions, good governance, sensible
poor and cities
“building capacity” of the local policies and the capacity to generate
authority in decision-making processes and utilize knowledge. A singular focus
Local government-led is not conclusive on external finance without consider-
of a democratic and inclusive process. ing and investing in building capacity
While local government has authority, and quality of the local organizations
Bridging the gap between adaptation and development it does not have the capability of work- to manage and mobilize domestic re- ceptual framework of LLA through the
ing with non-state actors like very poor sources will not produce the necessary lens of the different actors, especially
n Celine d’Cruz an organization of women pavement 2. Women are natural organizers; they communities, especially women and long term adaptation response. The the poorest of the poor and women.
T
dwellers in Mumbai. These migrant are very motivated to better the fu- youth. In addition, engagement with question we must ask is, are the current Looking at adaptation only from the
he First Gobeshona Global women and their families, the poorest ture for their children; hence the best local NGOs is often confrontational or structures and mechanisms to provide perspective of measuring “Impact” to
Conference held in January of the poor in the city, lived in makeshift change agents. project-driven. Local bids continue to LLA finance appropriate to the local climate change is very limiting and does
2021, led by the Internation- homes on the street and faced regular 3. Organizing within and among com- come from the official list of contractors needs in countries? not address the long term inequalities
al Centre for Climate Change demolitions. My university education munities locally, strengthens collec- in spite of a poor track record. In the cit- There is a growing request among which have created climate vulnerabil-
and Development (ICCCAD), marks the did not prepare me with the knowl- tive capability to engage with other ies of Mumbai and Pune, Mahila Milan funders and practitioners to understand ity in the first place. The “vulnerability”
beginning of a ten-year journey to bring edge or skills needed to support these local actors. (women together) was able to change the link between locally-led adaptation, approach is more holistic and acknowl-
together local voices, women and youth women, and we both had to learn by 4. Organizing around land or geogra- the procurement rules so as to bid for development and vulnerability. While edges other processes that affect local
living in vulnerable communities to walking the path together. Every dem- phy makes it easier to break down The process of contracts for the construction of com- there is a rush to take action on LLA, adaptation, such as food security, un-
participate more deliberately in taking
the LLA agenda forward. The concept
olition created havoc in their lives and
livelihoods. Their migration from rural
the enormity of the problem and find
solutions workable for women, their
finding solutions munity toilets. This gave greater agency
to women to build their voice and iden-
we risk the fear of approaching it with
different conceptual frameworks. This
equal wealth distribution, gender dis-
crimination, etc, which are historically
of LLA refers to a set of actions planned, to urban poverty forced them to adapt communities and the city. that are workable tity and lead. LLA makes the case for a has the consequence that it can mean development issues. l
designed and led by a set of local actors, to human-made and natural disasters. 5. Money and Information is power. new set of actors like local universities anything or nothing. With growing re-
researchers, practitioners and policy- They realized the power of their collec- Collecting savings, information and for women opens who are important knowledge brokers sources going into adaptation, different Celine d’Cruz started her career working with
makers under one platform, to measure
and track initiatives and collaborations,
tive resilience by supporting women in
similar situations in Mumbai and oth-
people builds the collective capabil-
ity to engage with local authorities
up the space and other professionals and private en-
tities who are locally respected and can
actors are trying to obtain a stake for
their organizations, and donor agen-
migrant women and their families living on
the streets of Mumbai, through her NGO,
and to address direct and indirect im- er cities. Here are some major lessons and other local actors. for women to be allies to vulnerable groups, influenc- cies› interpretation of LLA is different SPARC. She is a founder member of Slum
pacts of climate change. This article
firstly seeks to examine some myths
from Mahila Milans experiences, which
enabled hundreds of women leaders in
6. By designing and implementing pilot
projects, organized communities are
influence their ing their participation in local action. from that of NGOs or of community or-
ganizations. Given the pressure to act
Dwellers International(SDI) and supported
urban poor federations in cities of Africa
around the concept of LLA and aspires cities across Africa and Asia to become able to “do and show” and prove that agenda LLA is all about creating “Impact” on quickly, projects can be executed with and Asia. In 2003, Celine was chosen for the
to bridge the gap between LLA and de- more resilient but there is a lot more they have capacity to implement and the ecosystem and climate change unclear objectives which can further Yale World Fellows Program. Thereafter, she
velopment. Secondly, it aims to ensure work needed: deliver projects on time. For LLA to be transformative, it has to increase risks and exposure to vulner- was seconded to Cities Alliance at the World
that LLA stays workable to the poorest 1. The greater the risks and vulnerabil- To examine some myths and confu- be defined within the “vulnerability” ability. It is therefore important to ask Bank. Presently, Celine is a visiting researcher
of the poor, especially women. ities faced, human and natural, the sion around what determines “locally framework and address existing rela- the right questions, most importantly: at ICCCAD and works on the Climate Bridge
My early lessons in resilience and greater the survival skills and the ca- led adaptation” the following points are tionships that do not work for the poor- LLA by whom? for whom? The idea is Fund and a fellow with the Global Center on
adaptation came from “Mahila Milan”, pacity to adapt. important to have clarity on: est of the poor. One of the major impacts to open up the space to explore the con- adaptation.
8 Thursday, March 25, 2020 Thursday, March 25, 2020
9
WASH and gender: The human rights
perspective
Gender equality and access to water are basic human rights
n Rifat Saifee and Shaila Shahid sanitation services, making SDG 5 and 6 woman. Women and girls (and trans- Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 (BDP 2100)
S
fundamentally interdependent. Despite gender people, people with disabilities, is also focusing on improving climate
afe access to water and sanita- progress after MDGs, 785 million peo- and children) are at greater risk than resilience through a holistic, cross-sec-
tion is basic human rights and ple still don’t have clean water close to men of sexual violence, harassment and tor approach for delta management. As
strongly related with dignity. home and 2 billion don’t have a decent physical violence when forced to defe- mentioned in the summary published
The right to safe water is de- toilet of their own. This crisis is a denial cate in the open or use unsafe, dark or for the Eighth 5 Year Plan (2021-2025)
fined as the right of everyone to suffi- of people’s human rights to water and badly located toilets. - “In compliance to Bangladesh Delta
cient, safe, acceptable, physically acces- sanitation. Being unable to manage menstrua- Plan 2100, funds will be mobilized to
sible and affordable water for personal tion hygienically affects women’s and undertake more programs in climate
and domestic use. Sanitation in human Gender dimensions of WASH and girls’ health, mobility and dignity. Wom- change adaptation and mitigation.”
rights terms is equally understood as climate change: Adverse effect on en need a private and accessible toilet to While the government must provide a
a basic survival needs that is associ- women and marginalized change their menstrual products; water regulatory framework, the private sec-
ated with dignity and proper hygiene Bangladesh is the seventh-most cli- and soap to wash their hands, bodies tor will be forced to comply with the
behavior. Maintaining safely managed mate-affected country in the world, ac- and any reusable products; and some- regulations. Bangladesh also initiated
sanitation is the system that requires a cording to the Global Climate Risk Index where to dispose of menstrual products for two national climate change trust
well-managed value chain related to the 2020. Floods and riverbank erosions af- in a safe, culturally appropriate and funds - one is the Bangladesh Climate
collection, transportation, treatment fect some one million people annually dignified way. But it is not available in Change Trust Fund (BCCTF), created in
and disposal or reuse of human excreta in Bangladesh. Once every three to five Bangladesh for rural and slum dwell- the fiscal year 2009-2010; and the other
to ensure environmental sustainability. years, up to two-thirds of the country is ers. There is high risk for girls to drop one is the Bangladesh Climate Change
Water, sanitation and hygiene inundated by floods. Climate change-in- out from school or suffer psychological Resilience Fund (BCCRF), a multi donor
(WASH) are deeply relevant to women’s duced salinity poses an extreme risk/ stress because of the lack of adequate trust fund, established in 2010. Women are the
managers of water
and girls’ empowerment, affecting their threat to freshwater resources. sanitation and hygiene facilities in their The government approved the Na-
education, health, income and safety. Climate change is not gender-neu- communities. tional Strategy for Water Supply and
The 1992 Dublin Statement on Water
and Sustainable Development stated:
tral, the climatic hazards have gen-
der-specific effects. Women are gener-
and sanitation
“Women play a central part in the pro- ally more vulnerable and are dependent at household
vision, management and safeguarding
of water’ and policies should ‘address
for their livelihood on natural resources
that are threatened by climate change. PIXABAY
level – collecting
women’s specific needs’ and ‘empow- Due to social institutions, behavioural safe water from
a safe space are
er women to participate at all levels in norms and the physiological attributes cluded a section on women and chil- mediately: equitable access and use of DRR and
water resources programs, including leave women more vulnerable to the dren in disaster. Bangladesh Climate • Ensure women’s meaningful par- climate sensitive inclusive WASH fa-
decision-making and implementation, effects of climate change then men. Change Strategies and Action Plan, also ticipation and leadership in WASH cilities and services in schools and major activities of
in ways defined by them.” During flooding, many women fear so- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) states that every effort shall be made governance, climate governance, communities.
women
cial retribution for leaving their homes to ensure that vulnerable groups will disaster management and integrat- • Increase national budget and so-
Global commitment on WASH: The SDG or taking shelter with other men, so are deeply relevant to women’s and be protected. The Gender Action Plan ed water resources management cial-safety net allocation for poor
perspective
The year 2020 marks the twenty-fifth
seek refuge too late. For instance, dur-
ing the cyclone in 1991 in Bangladesh,
girls’ empowerment, affecting their (ccGAP) in its capacity building initi-
atives of GoB and other organizations
(IWRM) at all levels (household, com-
munity, national, and trans-bounda-
women and children needs as an
adaptation strategy with climate
anniversary of the Fourth World Con- 90% of fatalities were among women education, health, income and safety gave more emphasis on gender issues in ry). change vulnerability, and ensure
ference on Women, the Beijing Declara- and children. Death rates among people general and relevant organizations on • Since, low levels of awareness and proper distribution of the safety-net
tion, and the ten-year anniversary of the aged 20–44 were 71 per 1000 people for gender and WASH and Climate Change poor understanding of climate schemes.
General Assembly resolution 64/292, women, compared to 15 per 1000 people in particular. The review of the ccGAP change risks, combined with signif- • Increase advanced research in iden-
recognizing the human right to water for men (WHO, 2011a). The aftermath of process has recently started and hope- icant knowledge gaps about climate tifying the impacts of climate change
and sanitation. As we approach these natural disasters also disproportion- fully there would be a comprehensive change processes, have hindered on gender roles and relations at the
milestones, it seems apparent to take ately affects women due to the nature outcome to build the strong linkages on effective societal decision making, household level to determine where
stock of the progress (or lack thereof) of their livelihoods and role in produc- Addressing the WASH needs of women Sanitation in 2014, and the Fecal Sludge women and WASH needs in the climatic there is a need to initiate massive women’s and men’s priorities con-
made on SDG 5 – gender equality and tion. The pregnant, breastfeeding and in the changing climate scenario at the Management Institutional and Regula- conditions. campaign to challenge the social flict and how policies and program-
women and girls’ empowerment, and menstruating women are at a great risk national level tory Framework (FSM - IRF) developed norms around unpaid care work, matic responses to climate change
SDG 6 – access to water and sanitation of compromising their health after dis- The Government of Bangladesh has for- in 2017. To execute the FSM-IRF by Way forward women’s leadership, and gender can best respond to the differing vul-
for all. While gender equality and the asters and they also face a lot of prob- mulated a number of policies and pro- 2030, a ‘National Action Plan’ has been Gender equality and access to water are based violence, with special focus nerabilities, needs and priorities of
right to water and sanitation are intrin- lems with toilet facilities. grams to address the climate-induced developed, and subsequently CWIS/ basic human rights and are thus foun- on WASH sector and sanitation value women and men.
sically linked, we are far from achieving Women are the managers of water water vulnerabilities. The major rele- FSM Support Cell has been set up with- dational for achieving the other SDGs. If chain.
either of these goals. and sanitation at household level – col- vant policies are - National Water Pol- in DPHE to better execute and monitor we are to achieve these ambitious goals • Creation of women change agents Rifat Binte Jia is a Gender Expert in the
Goal 6 of SDG shows that world lecting safe water from a safe space are icy, Bangladesh Climate Change Strat- those national policies in Department by 2030, leaving no one behind, we nationally (at both rural and urban) Disaster Climate Change Support Unit (CWIS-
leaders understand the importance of major activities of women. They are left egy and Action Plan, National Strategy of Public Health and Engineering under must promote more gender-transform- to actively support ORR-sensitive FSM Support Cell) under the Department of
making these essentials normal for the with little to no time for work, school or for Water Sanitation and Hygiene, The the Ministry of Local Government and ative water and sanitation programs. In inclusive WASH services in schools Public Health Engineering (DPHE).
world’s most marginalized people. We to care for family and importantly time National Sustainable Development Rural Development and Cooperatives. particular, we must address the hidden and communities, and emphasize on Shaila Shahid is the Chief Operating Officer
know that women and girls – especially for their own leisure. Walking to collect Strategy, National Adaptation program In terms of gender perspective of causes of gender inequality, transform- community led total WASH programs of the Disaster Climate Change Support Unit
those living in poverty – are dispropor- water and carrying heavy vessels of of Action and the National Adaptation those policies, Bangladesh has the ing power dynamics. Below are way remembering the preparedness for under CWIS-FSM Support Cell, Department of
tionately affected by a lack of water and water can be dangerous for a pregnant Plan process is moving. Importantly, the Women Advancement Policy (2011) in- forward issues we should consider im- climate vulnerability. We must create Public Health Engineering (DPHE).
10 Thursday, March 25, 2020 Thursday, March 25, 2020
11
It is possible to achieve climate stability
as long as community voices, experience,
and engagement are recognized
My experience at Gobeshona conference
n Ineza Umuhoza Grace actors to encourage collaboration while
S
inspiring and permitting a share of ex-
ince March 1994, when the Unit- pertise worldwide. I participated in-
ed Nation Framework Conven- tending to learn, listen and get informed
tion on Climate Change entered about current and future ambitions that
into force, the world would include women and youth in achieving
protect the climate from human-made global climate ambition.
challenges. In December 1997, the Kyoto I carefully chose the sessions that I
Protocol was adopted and entered into want to attend not only depending on my
force in 2005; its purpose was to work time zone since it was a virtual event, but
together between developed and devel- also based on what will enhance my un-
oping countries to reduce greenhouse derstanding on how to contribute better PIXABAY
Three collaboration avenues to
gas emission according to parties’ tar- to drive action on the ground for the vul-
gets. In 2015 the world came together to nerable community. Here is the summary
produce the Paris Agreement to reduce of my take away points in some of the ses-
ensure climate services are actually
greenhouse emission and limit the glob- sions I participated in:
al temperature to at 2-degree Celsius • There is a need to increase the cli-
while aiming at 1.5 degrees. mate risk information in develop-
My name is Ineza Umuhoza Grace, ment planning especially for devel-
locally-led and gender-responsive
an eco-feminist impact-driven actor in oping countries, not only because it PIXABAY
to adapt to climate change impacts; The LUCCC/ICCCAD shared their
this is a success story that can inform collective voice of case studies from
countries and partners to integrate
natural-based solutions for the new
least developed countries to high-
light the need to include “loss and
The story of the climate information provider who provides the best information
normal. damage” at the next conference of available, the practitioner who does not know about it or how to use it, and the
• There is an untapped opportunity
in the Green Climate Fund for local-
parties under the UNFCCC.
• Women representation in the deci-
policymaker who struggles to reconcile the two is far too common
There is a need to recognize that climate ly-led climate action though the new sion-making process is still minimal,
n Mélody Braun, Ashley Curtis, tain in sight, but won’t help prepare for
justice for developing and developed program seeks to increase the direct
access of local actors’ funds. The UN-
but now more than ever, there is a
need to recognise and address it sus-
Carmen Gonzalez Romero, and the hills and valleys along the way.
Nonetheless, climate information is
A
Amanda Grossi
countries is not a political agenda CDF is financing the locally-led adap- tainably. The UNWomen shared the too often not available or actionable at
While there are numerous examples of
tation action through a country-driv- untold tales of wonder women who daptation means equipping the most local levels, leaving with the
en mechanism in the NDC and NAP are addressing climate change in decision-makers with the least adaptive capacity with little re-
process. ICLEI is working in Bang- their context. ActionAid shared their best possible information course to actualize adaptive measures. climate services supporting adaptation
ladesh to support the development gender-responsive climate budget in in the face of a changing cli-
and integration of urban resilience their country approaches in Bangla- mate. This includes decision-makers How do we ensure that the full range at different levels, such services often
the climate change sector. In 2018 when
I was in my third year of university in
is the only way to save many people
but also it is the only way to ensure
in the planning process; developing
countries can learn from this.
desh and Mexico.
In conclusion, the conference gave
at the highest levels — policymakers or
government officials, all the way down
of climate services is available and
usable at the local level and can support
still struggle to reach the last mile
Rwanda, I gained information about the sustainable economic development. • Adaptation in the agricultural sector me hope. It is possible to achieve cli- to those at the most grassroots levels — locally-led adaptation? and integrate the voices of
international climate policies and global
ambition. My engagement was way af-
IUCN shared their model for disaster
management through modelling and
is the main pathway for building a
climate-resilient community in Af-
mate stability as long as community
voices, experience, and engagement are
male and female farmers, pastoralists,
and stakeholders who support them.
To answer this question, we need to first
acknowledge the deep disconnect that
local communities
ter the decisions on all-important global initiative diverse settings rica. Africa Development Bank is al- recognised. There is a need to recognize Across the scale, their decisions are persists amongst adaptation practition-
driving decisions were available. • Natural based solution is the new nor- ready undertaking so local action in that climate justice for developing and impacted by both long-term climate ers, climate information providers, and
It was for no surprise that gender, mal that can sustainably address the the agricultural value chain. developed countries is not a political change trends (such as increasing global policy makers. The story of the climate
youth and climate finance are the first impact of climate change by strength- • Youth are present in building the agenda; it is a global call for everyone temperatures) and shorter-term man- information provider who provides the ensure climate information is actually on co-production, products and ser-
gaps that struck me, and later I linked ening the community’s knowledge country’s resilience to climate to get engaged; we all share one planet. ifestations of climate variability (such best information available, the practi- accessible, usable, ultimately meaning- vices still tend to be developed in con-
them with the climate change impacts and enhancing their adaptive capac- change through the UNFCCC ap- Let us listen to each other and take as droughts, floods, and other extreme tioner who does not know about it or ful to decision-makers. sultation with, rather than led by, local
referred to as “Loss and Damage”. My ity. USAID shared the lesson learned proaches. This is done through the collective climate action! l events). how to use it, and the policymaker who However, while there are numerous stakeholders. The stakeholders targeted
Gobeshona conference experience per- in Bangladesh to drive resilience UN climate change initiative to create The ability to access and understand struggles to reconcile the two is far too examples of climate services support- by international projects are often inter-
mitted me to understand, especially while increasing natural safeguards partnerships with universities to en- Ineza Umuhoza Grace is an impact-driven the full range of information available, common. Climate services, which move ing adaptation at different levels, such mediaries mandated to work with com-
from the least developed and develop- and security. IIED shared innovative courage young professionals to build eco-feminist working in The Green Fighter at multiple timescales, is critical for beyond the generation of climate infor- services often still struggle to reach the munities, such as agriculture extension
ing country perspectives. approaches in the global south cities meaningful innovation for climate as the executive director. Her interest lies addressing the different layers of risk. mation to collaboratively tailor, com- last mile and integrate the voices of lo- officers that belong to an official govern-
This year the Gobeshona confer- that permit innovative strategies for resilience on the national level. The in climate justice and giving voice to the Focusing singularly on long-term cli- municate, and build capacity around its cal communities, especially those of ment channel, rather than communities
ence was a seven-day virtual event that disruptive resilience. Brac is conduct- Least Developed countries consorti- community demonstrated by her involvement mate change is like preparing to climb a use, have increasingly emerged as the women and underrepresented groups, themselves. Efforts towards locally-led
brought together researchers, practi- ing an adaptation project in Bangla- um on climate change is an excellent in the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition. She mountain looking only through binocu- means through which all of these actors into the tools and products intended adaptation tend to center around inclu-
tioners, youth, women, leaders and desh by supporting local lead actions demonstration of this engagement. can be reached at ineza@thegreenfighter.org lars: it may keep the top of the moun- can coalesce in their respective roles to to serve them. Despite a growing focus sion rather than leadership. Moreover,
12 Thursday, March 25, 2020 Thursday, March 25, 2020
13
these efforts still tend to disproportion- because of a limited understanding of of those solutions will either be unfund- formation to farmers.
ately reach men, leading to an imbal- the daily decisions made on the ground, ed, or absent. There is an opportunity for the cli-
ance in the recognition of gender-differ- and particularly the diversity of decisions Without a recognition of (i) the nec- mate services community and the lo-
entiated needs. across gender, groups and sectors. essary involvement of local partners in cally-led adaptation community to join
Shifting not just the narrative but While the climate services framework all phases of the design of a solution forces to improve the inclusion of local
most importantly the practice to ensure emphasizes co-production and seeks intended to them, and (ii) the necessary institutions and communities into cli-
climate services directly or indirectly to address this information asymmetry funding of that involvement, the project mate services design and implementa-
targeting local communities are truly between producers and users of climate may strive at collecting generous in- tion decisions, with a particular focus
co-produced with them will require information, it cannot be assumed that puts, but the level of local leadership is on improving women participation, rec-
overcoming three main types of chal- such co-productive interactions will bound to be limited. Similarly, consorti- ognizing that whether and how women
lenges: 1) Technical challenges, driven naturally occur. The climate adaptation ums including local partners often rely are included has direct implications on
by the lack of awareness and capacity community therefore needs to be in- on international organizations to lead a the reach of the services and the per-
around existing data and data needs; 2) tentional about developing institutional grant application to increase chances of petuation of inequities that limit adap-
Institutional challenges, evidenced by mechanisms setting up the spaces, re- success. It is not uncommon that finan- tation.
a lack of transdisciplinary convening sources, and enabling environments that cial requirements impose on the leading Funding mechanisms exist in all
mechanisms to foster exchanges and allow these groups to interact, exchange organization to request the largest por- shapes and forms, yet some have prov-
collaboration across diverse categories and collaborate at different levels, as the tion of the funds, leaving the smallest en more challenging to support LLA
of actors; and 3) Funding challenges, local relevance of climate services de- portion to be spent in the country and and adequately fund local partners
that often prevent full recognition and pends on it. Furthermore, it must ensure split between local partners. than others, and the experience gained
participation of those directly impacted representativity reflecting important Such funding structures need to from those may support joint advoca-
by the services being designed. differences within targeted user groups, evolve to equally recognize and fund cy efforts to reshape funding for LLA.
including and especially gender, and ac- the climate expertise and information Engaging locally at scale is beyond the
Technical challenges knowledge how such differences come production mandate of local meteoro- scope of many development projects
The lack of awareness of existing data is to bear on the exploitation and use of cli- logical agencies, the field expertise of due to resources needed, but initial
reflected in the general perception from mate information. intended users of the services (commu- pilots demonstrating proof of concept
the user community that “data is miss- In an exponentially more virtual nities themselves and organizations or along the value chain and across the 4
ing”, despite constant improvements in pillars of climate services can then be
the range and the quality of data prod- scaled up in partnership with national
ucts developed by national meteorolog- entities with the capacity and mandate
ical agencies, such as the quality-con- to implement activities broadly at the
trolled ENACTS dataset (launched by
BMD and IRI in Bangladesh in 2019)
The climate adaptation community local-scale nationally.
Initiatives such as such as the Bang-
merging station and satellite data to ad- therefore needs to be intentional about ladesh Academy for Climate Services,
dress the challenges associated with the
limited number of station data points.
developing institutional mechanisms the Mesas Tecnicas Agroclimaticas in
Latin America, the Groupes Techniques
In this virtual age of information setting up the spaces, resources, and de Travail in West Africa or the National
where a plethora of data from multi- Framework for Climate services already
ple (often unverified) sources can be enabling environments that allow aim at bringing together users and pro-
found online and where digital tools
are booming, too much information can
these groups to interact, exchange and viders of climate information. A collec-
tive effort to assess and share the les-
lead to information not being under- collaborate sons learned from those initiatives and
stood or used, if it is not accompanied the challenges and opportunities they
with capacity building and appropriate world, digital tools help improve the intermediaries working with them), the faced to reach and include local institu-
translation of data into useful products. dissemination of information from pro- policy and operationalization expertise tions and communities would provide
Focusing more efforts and resources viders to users, making climate services of relevant government representatives, useful ground to explore the improve- Anita Das (40) now has a hygienic toilet COURTESY
on capacity building of local actors on more widely available. However, the and the technical and capacity building ment and scaling of institutional mech-
Anita’s face-off with climate change
the basics of climate and climate ser- relevance of the information distribut- expertise of international organizations. anisms that can effectively support
vices to improve awareness of existing ed still remains dependent on the level sustainable climate services that truly
data, robust understanding of climate of understanding of the needs of the Conclusion support locally led adaptation. l
risk and uncertainty, ability to identify end-users, who are still often not truly The importance of climate services to
and communicate information needs, part of the design, development or im- support adaptation and take full ad-
Story of a true climate champion
Mélody Braun is a Senior Staff Associate at
and capacity to access and integrate plementation processes. vantage of the range of existing climate the International Research Institute(IRI) for
data into decisions is a critical first step information has been demonstrated Climate and Society. She is the Bangladesh
to address technical challenges. Funding challenges around the world, including in several
n Arusa Iqbal Rahim to call out these challenges which are in growing problems that is impacting ties that involve managing household
A
country lead for the Columbia University/
The value of co-production has increas- sessions of the last Gobeshona confer- IRI Adapting Agriculture to Climate Today for the form of gender biases, unfair acts to- millions of women and girls in both ru- water supply. They are accountable
Institutional challenges ingly gained recognition, including by ence illustrating examples in Bangla- Tomorrow (ACToday). lthough women should be wards women in both professional and ral and urban settings of the country. A for the more time-consuming and la-
Another common challenge is that cli- donors, unfortunately the architecture desh, East Africa and Latin America. To Ashley Curtis is the training focal point for felicitated every day of the domestic settings, different forms of challenge that often goes unobserved bour-intensive tasks, such as walking
mate services providers and users do not of many competitive grants and some be sustainable, climate services must be IRI and Bangladesh country manager for year, International Women’s inequalities present around them and and undiscussed is climate change. long distances to carry heavy gallons of
always understand each others’ needs, of the financial requirements of interna- embedded in official government chan- the Adapting Agriculture to Climate Today Day (IWD) gives an extra op- so on. They can choose to call out and A changing climate affects everyone, water for household use. This ultimate-
because it falls outside of their defined tional organizations often limit the po- nels and co-produced with the relevant for Tomorrow (ACToday) project. Carmen portunity for the world to reflect and at face these challenges for a better tomor- everywhere; but, it is in fact the poor- ly leaves less time for these women and
mandate and area of expertise. Deci- tential for true co-production or local- mandated country organizations. As a González Romero is the country manager for the same time take charge of the driv- row. Hence, it can be asserted that from est, the most marginalized and those in girls to access training and education,
sion-makers may struggle to identify or ly-led adaptation at its most local level. result, efforts to include local partners the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) ing seat and steer the wheels to finding challenges comes change and this year vulnerable situations, (especially wom- develop skills or even earn an income.
voice the type of information they need A funding model covering an interna- in the development of climate services team in the Columbia World Project ACToday, more ways towards gender equality. IWD is asking the world to choose and en and girls), who bear the impact of Which results in them having less
because they lack understanding of ex- tional organization to offer fully funded tend to focus on national level partners Amanda Grossi works as ACToday Country This year the theme of International change. it environmentally, economically, and knowledge to participate in any deci-
isting climate data and its characteris- services to solve a local problem, with- and intermediaries working with com- Manager for Ethiopia and Senegal. She also Women’s Day circles around the word When discussing these challenges socially. sion-making process. Lack of education
tics, while climate scientists may not be out funding available for local actors, as munities, and projects rely on those contributes to the management and scale-up challenge. As per IWD’s statement, a that need to be addressed, the world, For example, women living in rural and skill further makes them negligible
able to communicate information in a imposed by many grants, implies that intermediaries to convey local needs to of the Enhancing National Climate Services challenged world is an alert world — especially developing countries like us settings (including coastal-belts and and less involved in the distribution of
way that is useable by decision makers their involvement in the development the project team and communicate in- (ENACTS) initiative led by IRI. consequently, individuals can choose must not forget to highlight one of the hilly areas) shoulder key responsibili- natural goods. Consequently, due to
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