This afternoon I heard from a Nigerian group, Centre for 21st issues (C21st), first hand about the effects of climate change on the Nigerian people, particularly women.
They are experiencing in some places drought and desertification, and in other areas problems with storms, flooding and landslides which destroy homes, communtiy buildings and roads. Girls are having to miss school to help with the increasingly onerous task of water collection, affecting their education and reducing their opportunities for the future. Disasters such as landslides are leading to ill health, increasing the care burden on women.
Again, they stressed that women are not helpless in the face of climate change, but are powerful agents to help communities adapt, and it is crucial that they are involved in decision making about climate change.
C21st have produced a position statement for COP15. It's unfortunately not available electronically, but calls for gender justice to be mainstreamed into the new climate change deal.
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