Paris: Climate change affects women ‘disproportionately’ more than men, especially in developing countries, the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) forum heard on Monday in Paris.
This is why women need to step up in combating the issue alongside their male counterparts.
“In developing countries, women are mainly in charge of their household. So for heating or cooking they might rely on kerosene lanterns, which is bad for health. Climate change also affects agriculture and can damage crops resulting in women having to travel a longer distance, and possibly be exposed to more danger, in order for them to obtain their food,” Dr Nawal Al Hosani, Director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, Director of Sustainability at Masdar and Programme Director of WiSER, told Gulf News.
Dr Nawal was speaking on the sidelines of the event, which was also attended by Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Vice-President of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Professor of Practice Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, Hela Cheikhrouhou, Executive Director, Green Climate Fund and Yannick Glemarec, Deputy Executive Director of the Policy and Programme Bureau, UN Women who were advocating for the empowerment of women in renewable energy and clean technology.
“Renewable energy is the future and women must have a role not only as a receiver of this technology and solutions but also in making these decisions and placing related policies. Climate change affects women more than men and women need to be aware of environmental issues because ultimately they are in charge of their households and they are the ones who can create positive change,” she added.
Due to the large part that family takes in women’s lives, Dr Nawal believes that their enrolment into male-dominated fields such as engineering should increase.
“The danger is that of lost opportunities. There will not be a comprehensive and wholesome solution to climate change except if both sexes join hands. When speaking of renewable energy, the field is vast and contains administrators, negotiators such as those seen at COP21 and engineers. Women need to take on leadership roles in the field of renewable energy and not settle for marginal positions. We need to keep in mind that many women choose to stay at home and cater to their families instead of pursuing their careers in sustainability which is why women need to step up even further and match up with men in this field,” she added.
