Climate Change, Gender and Development in Africa

Climate change whatever its causes and precise timelines represents one of the most challenging threats to sustainable development for all those living in Africa. The continent is home to the most susceptible populations of the world because of the sensitivity and fragility of its natural envi-ronment and its high dependence on environment-based livelihoods such as agriculture. Over the past ten years the African Development Bank’s annual Gender Poverty and Environment Indicators in African Countries report has high-lighted women’s heavy reli-ance on environment-related livelihoods. This includes women’s predominance in subsistence agriculture and their contribution to the production of economic crops agriculture-linked market and retail trade and nature tourism. In Africa we are therefore looking at a population that is already at greater risk of livelihood insecurity. In this context the human threats inherent in climate change are crucial and may be more serious for women in certain occupations and regions. The roles of women and girls in terms of household tasks are also likely to be more severely impacted by changes in climate. This article has noted several areas in which women need to adapt to climate change. The actions of governments civil society organizations donor agencies and opinion leaders can be brought to bear to support women and families facing resource and economic stress. This can be achieved through policy reform and by ensuring that needed evidence on which to base policy is more readily available. The data required should be improved on the basis of existing indicators including: the gender structure of subsistence agriculture; the choice of agricultural techniques; changes in water stress for women and men responsible for provisioning; and disease burdens among others. (Excerpts)