Women hit hardest by climate change - Kuugongelwa-Amadhila
Gender inequalities shape how climate change is experienced
Women still face limited access to land ownership, financial resources and technologies, key tools needed to adapt effectively to climate shocks, Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says.
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has dismissed the notion that climate change is gender neutral, warning that while climate change may not deliberately target genders, its impacts fall disproportionately on those with the least resources and power: women.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said this on Monday during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) 15th summit of women Speakers of parliament in Geneva.
“While climate change itself may be indiscriminate in its occurrence, its impacts are far from equal. Pre-existing gender inequalities shape how climate change is experienced," she explained.
"Women are highly concentrated in climate-sensitive sectors such as small-scale agriculture and informal trading. When crops fail or markets collapse due to climate change, their livelihoods are the first to be lost, deepening poverty and social vulnerability," Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, adding that even health outcomes are gendered.
The Namibian parliamentarian noted that in rural areas, women are often the primary providers of food, water and fuel for their households.
"When droughts dry up water sources or floods destroy crops, it is they who work harder, carry heavier burdens, and endure longer days,” she said.
Opportunities denied
Calling the issue a lived reality rather than an abstract concern, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted the systemic barriers women face.
“Women continue to face limited access to land ownership, financial resources and technologies, key tools needed to adapt effectively to climate shocks. This restriction is rooted in social norms and cultural practices that deny them the opportunities afforded to men,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
She warned that climate-related disasters also exacerbate gender-based violence. “Displacement and economic hardship worsen power imbalances. Women and girls are more exposed to exploitation, abuse and health risks, particularly during times of crisis."
Moreover, rising temperatures and pollution pose specific risks to pregnant women and newborns, while increased malnutrition and poor sanitation, especially during floods, disproportionately affect women and children.
"Therefore, a gender-blind approach to climate change, or rather climate policy, will leave our women behind. The nation cannot afford to ignore their resilience,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
Progress at home
The Speaker also noted that despite global progress, women remain largely under-represented in peace processes and underfunded in conflict prevention and continue to carry the heaviest burdens in times of conflict.
“We believe multilateral collaboration and accountability are vital for peace and justice. At home, our progress has been tangible. Namibia ranks first in Africa and eighth globally in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
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Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said this on Monday during the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) 15th summit of women Speakers of parliament in Geneva.
“While climate change itself may be indiscriminate in its occurrence, its impacts are far from equal. Pre-existing gender inequalities shape how climate change is experienced," she explained.
"Women are highly concentrated in climate-sensitive sectors such as small-scale agriculture and informal trading. When crops fail or markets collapse due to climate change, their livelihoods are the first to be lost, deepening poverty and social vulnerability," Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, adding that even health outcomes are gendered.
The Namibian parliamentarian noted that in rural areas, women are often the primary providers of food, water and fuel for their households.
"When droughts dry up water sources or floods destroy crops, it is they who work harder, carry heavier burdens, and endure longer days,” she said.
Opportunities denied
Calling the issue a lived reality rather than an abstract concern, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila highlighted the systemic barriers women face.
“Women continue to face limited access to land ownership, financial resources and technologies, key tools needed to adapt effectively to climate shocks. This restriction is rooted in social norms and cultural practices that deny them the opportunities afforded to men,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
She warned that climate-related disasters also exacerbate gender-based violence. “Displacement and economic hardship worsen power imbalances. Women and girls are more exposed to exploitation, abuse and health risks, particularly during times of crisis."
Moreover, rising temperatures and pollution pose specific risks to pregnant women and newborns, while increased malnutrition and poor sanitation, especially during floods, disproportionately affect women and children.
"Therefore, a gender-blind approach to climate change, or rather climate policy, will leave our women behind. The nation cannot afford to ignore their resilience,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
Progress at home
The Speaker also noted that despite global progress, women remain largely under-represented in peace processes and underfunded in conflict prevention and continue to carry the heaviest burdens in times of conflict.
“We believe multilateral collaboration and accountability are vital for peace and justice. At home, our progress has been tangible. Namibia ranks first in Africa and eighth globally in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.
[email protected]
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