Women, Water and Climate Change
Globally, the effect of climate change would be felt. This would be especially true for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.
Climate change causes the temperature of the region to be higher resulting in more droughts and rendering some parts uninhabitable because of the increasing heat island effect and reducing growing areas for agriculture. These factors cause more people to migrate from the Middle East and North Africa and also aggravates the effects of the conflicts in the region.
The Middle East and North Africa maintains the region with the greatest water challenge globally. MENA is home to 6% of the world’s population and less than 2% of the world’s renewable water supply. Over the past 30 years, the water table in the UAE Worldwide, has dropped about one meter per year. At the current rate, the UAE is projected to deplete its natural freshwater resources in about 50 years. In many MENA countries, 85% of water is consumed by the agriculture sector.
With an expected 20% reduction in rainfall and higher rates of evaporation that will make water scarcer, a predicted rise in temperature, lack of rainfall and unpredictable weather could result in desertification of 60% of the Syrian land area.
Women comprise about 70% of poor people in the world; they and their children are the worst hit by climate change in MENA because of their vulnerability and traditional roles as gatherers of domestic energy resources, food producers, cooks, and caregivers. Reasons for this include the patriarchal nature of the region and women’s limited access to productive resources and low labour force participation rate of women in the region.
Climate change represents a great threat to poverty reduction and to achieving the SDGs as it impacts on the health, food security, nutrition, production, and women’s economic empowerment.
MENA women are underrepresented in climate change and natural resource management discussions. From rural women’s local knowledge to the elitist ideas, women’s inclusion in climate change discussions can go a long way in achieving sustainable development by eradicating poverty, food security, general well being and improving education and advocacy for sustainable water management.
MENA women are aware of the challenges of climate change and have begun taking action to reduce its effects. The Global Water Partnership — Mediterranean (GWP-Med), in collaboration with Al Akhawayn University, organised a Water Integrity Capacity Building for the Middle East and North Africa region in Ifrane, Morocco. The programme was organized to build capacities and raise awareness on women’s role in water integrity in the MENA Region, to enable women to be sensitive to sustainable water management, disseminating and promoting values-based environmental awareness to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Women need to be trained on creating awareness for sustainable water management system, more water-efficient and climate-smart agricultural practices of conserving water in the region.
Women should be involved in climate change negotiations whether or not they are formally educated because of the health impacts of water scarcity on women and children. Water management solutions should be advocated to women as they usually source for water for domestic uses. Gender-sensitive policies that give women access to natural and productive resources, climate change mitigation and adaptation processes should be formulated.
Policy makers should be made to understand how climate change affects women particularly. Governments of countries in the MENA region should invest in and promote technologies that enhance renewable and clean energy sources while incorporating the rural women’s expertise and experience.
Women bear the brunt of climate change, they should be involved in finding solutions to prevent further degradation and the fight for a clean, healthy and sustainable world.
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