Perpetua Murungweni
Climate change negative effects which are experienced through natural hazards such as landslides, floods and hurricanes seem to burden women more, it has emerged.
This came to light at the commemorations of World Environment Day organized by Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Masvingo Chapter where different stakeholders were invited.
Speaking at the event Ziso Piwayi from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Comuunity, Small and Medium Enterprises said women are more affected by environment pollution than men and gave reference to 2019 cyclone Idai which was a national disaster in Zimbabwe and neighboring countries.
“Women are at risk of the negative effects of climate change which are due to environmental pollution. During Cyclone Idai most women were affected more than men.
“During the disaster, agriculture suffered heavily and this affected women especially those from rural areas who depended more on agriculture.
Women were greatly affected because they are the ones who bear the bigger burden in times of food insecurity.
“Women were displaced during the disaster and they had to start from scratch.
“During the time of displacement women were affected health wise, because they were displaced to places with poor health facilities and no water. This was difficult for women who were pregnant and those who had newly born babies to access health facilities,” said Piwai.
Joyce Mhungu of WCoZ said women in rural areas are most exposed to the effects of climate change because they are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihood.
“Women in rural areas are most vulnerable because they are highly dependent on local natural resources for their livelihood. These women have the responsibility to secure water, food and firewood for cooking,” Mhungu said.
Mhungu also said that there is need to consider availability of resources when displacing women after natural disasters because they are the most affected with the displacements.
“After natural disasters that are caused by environmental pollution, most women are displaced to different places and in most cases these places lack water and better health facilities and there is need to consider these facilities to accommodate women who are pregnant and those who have special health needs,” said Mhungu.
Masvingo City Council gender focal person Alice Mashinge said there is need to involve men in environmental awareness campaigns as much as women are involved because they are the ones who contribute more to environment pollution.
“When it comes to climate change men are more involved in activities that cause environmental pollution such as illegal mining, cutting down of trees for firewood for selling and digging of river sand and pit sand. There is need to involve men in environmental awareness campaigns and teach them on the impact all these activities have on women,” said Mashinge.
