IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS ON WOMEN AND VICE VERSA

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1 AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone Cables: OAU, ADDIS ABABA IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS ON WOMEN AND VICE VERSA PRESENTATION BY MS FATOUMATA JALLOW NDOYE EXPERT AND FOCAL POINT FOR MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION EARTH DAY ETHIOPIA UNECA, ADDIS ABABA 22 ND APRIL 2009 By Fatoumata Jallow Ndoye Consultant and Expert on Multilateral Environmental Agreements Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture African Union Commission.

2 IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS ON WOMEN AND VICE VERSA 1. INTRODUCTION 2. KEY CLIMATE CHANGE/ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN AFRICA 3. GENERAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN AFRICA 4. Climate Change Impacts on Women 5. Women Contribution to Environment and Climate Change 6. Women and Poverty 7. Conclusion 1. INTRODUCTION Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature, i.e. the environment. The environment is our surrounding; the environment is nature. The external factors of nature impact on humans, animals and plants, just as human activities can negatively or positively impact on the environment. The protection and preservation of the environment is, without doubt, an important aspect of sustainable development. In reality, there is linkage between economic growth, environmental preservation, social development, gender development and poverty reduction. There is a close connection between environment and development, and the gender roles of men and women in their relationship with the environment in their bid to foster development, have an impact. Any adverse relationship has an implication. Poor environmental management can result in environmental problems. The impacts of climate variability have negative repercusions on porest countries; droughts, floods storms, coastal erosion, water borne diseases. The resulting decline in agricultural productivity and food security also negatively impact on economic development. There is negative synergy between rapid population growth, environmental degradation, food security and poverty. As we know in Africa women are at the foot of the economic ladder. The poorest will be hit the hardest because of geographical location, low income, low capacity, dependency on climate sensitive sectors like agriculture, forests, coasts, water, finance, trade. Although Africa is a comparatively low emitter of green house gases it suffers the worst impacts.

3 2.1. KEY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN AFRICA Biodiversity Loss: Biodiversity conservation and management covers agriculture, soil and water conservation; forest and wildlife management; livestock and range management and-loss of habitat; Climate change is an important environmental issue in terms of its likely impacts on human health and the productive sectors of the economy e.g. drought, flooding etc. It is expensive to address these plights. Desertification also has impacts on human health, social status and poverty, the productive sectors of the economy, e.g. soil degradation and loss of soil fertility lead to agricultural production etc Pollution: Soil infertility through poor farming practices and the indiscriminate and overuse of chemicals, result in decline in agricultural production, as well as health and environmental issues. The emission of green house gases is another environmental phenomenon to be reckoned with. Overcrowding: Rural poverty coupled with natural environmental disasters (drought etc) prompt massive migration to urban areas resulting in overcrowding, poor sanitation and environmental pollution. Overcrowding also leads to the generation of more solid waste and the need to mine more sand for the erection of more buildings. Excessive uncontrolled sand mining practices bring about coastal erosion, leading to another environmental problem. 3. GENERAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE/ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN AFRICA Africa is extremely vulnerable to climate variability and climate change. According to UN studies, climate change-induced famine may result in more than 50 million environmental refugees in Africa alone in the near future. In general, the African countries and their population lack the means to adapt or defend themselves against the impacts of rising sea level, increased climate variability, ozone depletion, invasive species and other aspects of global environmental challenges. Disasters are very costly both in terms of the losses incurred and in terms of relief and rehabilitation, and have a profound impact on the poor and vulnerable by reducing their assets and entitlements and sometimes causing a collapse in livelihoods. Environmental disasters have caused many people to flee rural areas and seek refuge in general around the urban centers, leading to urban growth and overcrowding. 4. Environmental/Climate Change Impacts on Women Awareness of resource depletion, the degradation of natural systems and the dangers of polluting substances has increased markedly in the past decade. The bad weather conditions are destroying fragile ecosystems and displacing communities, especially women, from productive activities and are an increasing threat to a safe and healthy environment.

4 Poverty and environmental degradation are closely interrelated. While poverty results in certain kinds of environmental stress, the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is the unsustainable pattern of consumption and production, particularly in industrialized countries, which is a matter of grave concern, aggravating poverty and imbalances. The deterioration of natural resources displaces communities, especially women, from incomegenerating activities while greatly adding to unremunerated work. In both urban and rural areas, environmental degradation results in negative effects on the health, well-being and quality of life of the population at large, especially girls and women of all ages. Particular attention and recognition should be given to the role and special situation of women living in rural areas and those working in the agricultural sector, where access to training, land, natural and productive resources, credit, development programmes and cooperative structures can help them increase their participation in sustainable development. Environmental risks in the home and workplace may have a disproportionate impact on women's health because of women's different susceptibilities to the toxic effects of various chemicals. These risks to women's health are particularly high in urban areas, as well as in low-income areas where there is a high concentration of polluting industrial facilities. In urban settings in particular, air and water pollution can be extreme, and sanitation and waste treatment poor or non-existent, presenting new threats to health, particularly for women, who have the highest levels of exposure. The use of agro chemicals on farms by women should not also be overlooked; They enter body tissues and breast milk, through which they are passed on to infants. Soil erosion, water shortage and crop failures reduce harvest yields; soil exhausted from over-use reduces the productivity of household gardens. 5. Women Contribution to Environment and Climate Change Degraded environments mean that women must spend more time and effort to find fuel or produce food, but their other responsibilities, for meeting household needs and ensuring family health, do not diminish. Gendered divisions of labour have so far resisted real change. Women have an essential role to play in the development of sustainable and ecologically sound consumption and production patterns and approaches to natural resource management. The role and importance of women in relation to environment and development is crucial because women depend on the environment for their daily needs such as water, fuel, food, etc. Women not only endure the most of environmental degradation, but also contribute to it. Women through their gender roles are food preparers, processors, and producers for the family. In rural areas, the daily provision of water, charcoal, fuel wood, firewood is the responsibility of the woman. They are caretakers of children and the elderly, and in many communities the primary earners of cash income. Their activities and the constraints they face influence and are in turn influenced by activities relating to population growth, the environment and food security. Women utilize natural resources in their quest to satisfy their daily requirements. Loss of forest resources means loss of income, medicinal herbs and food sources. Bush fires can also be another result of tampering with the forest by women in quest for firewood.

5 Women can be the biggest users of scarce water resources in rural areas of Africa, ranging from domestic use to horticultural and farm use leading to growing scarcity of water resources and contamination of water sources. Women if not producers are managers of domestic wastes. More waste is generated by a bigger population growth. Waste consists of all types from agricultural, domestic to hazardous waste like plastics and batteries. Women are called upon to take care of such waste at its initial stage. Due to lack of awareness they either sort them out carelessly during sweeping or are exposed to the dangers of burning them-air and water pollution and contamination from hazardous substances The spread of diseases resulting from lack of sanitation and improper waste disposal, especially in urban areas, gives rise to low productivity. Women are exposed to toxic chemicals from use in horticulture and agriculture (pesticides), domestic use (detergents, caustic substances, metal utensils etc), cosmetics (acetone, acids etc). The over use and misuse of pesticides coupled with poor farming practices can lead to degradation of vegetation, loss of soil cover and water contamination. Women are also at health risks from the use of these harmful substances; studies have even shown the presence of toxic chemicals in breast milk of exposed mothers. The use of certain cosmetics containing toxic chemicals does lead to health effects as well. 6. Women and Poverty Poverty is a complex, multidimensional problem, with origins in both the national and international domains. The globalization of the world's economy and the deepening interdependence among nations present challenges and opportunities for sustained economic growth and development. In addition, all types of conflict, displacement of people and environmental degradation have undermined the capacity of Governments to meet the basic needs of their populations, particularly women who are found at the base of the poverty index. One significant trend has been the increased poverty of women, the extent of which varies from region to region. The gender disparities in economic power-sharing are also an important contributing factor to the poverty of women. Migration and consequent changes in family structures have placed additional burdens on women, especially those who provide for several dependants. The gender aspects of land tenure which are often not fully attended to also need to be given due attention. 7. Conclusion Fortunately, women have become increasingly aware of their roles in society as they form a variety of organizations and actively participate in political leadership in order to contribute meaningfully to the overall development of their societies. Women can and should assist in checking pollution of rivers, creeks and ponds (around them) with sewage and garbage. They can form vigilante groups, enlighten members of their communities and develop other ways of disposal that are not harmful to aquatic life. There is a need for women to organize workshops, seminars and conferences regularly so that all and sundry will be acquainted with environmental

6 issues. In this way, they complement the activities of government and other agencies in this respect. Women need to assert themselves in their communities and participate actively in environmental control issues, take cognisance of environmental laws and enlighten their fellow women on the effects of environmental degradation. It is imperative that women be wholly involved in natural resources management issues to maintain sustainability. Gender should be mainstreamed in all national programs, particularly environmental programs. Although efforts have been directed at sectors considered to be more receptive to gender issues, gender considerations are still inadequately entrenched in national and regional institutions and programs. This attitude of giving second place to women starts from the home which then gets integrated into national and regional settings.the implications of the above problems is worthy for policy consideration. The participation of women in decision making using a gender responsive environmental planning and management as a key process to resolving such problems that affect women from poor environmental management, is primordial. Proposals should also be made that highlight women s problems in these areas and the specific things women should do to redress these conditions. Apart from environmental mitigation measures, the proposals could also be activities directed at providing labour saving devices for the female gender..