Women feel the heat of climate change 08 December 2008 | News
story Women’s lives are more at risk than men’s because of
climate change, according to IUCN. Climate change will affect
all countries, but poor women in developing countries will be
disproportionately affected. Despite this, most of the UNFCCC
debate on climate so far has been gender-blind. “Women are not
just helpless victims – they are powerful agents of change, and
their leadership is critical,” says Lorena Aguilar, IUCN’s
Senior Gender Advisor. “We need to act now to make sure their
voices are properly heard – here in Poznan and beyond.” Women
are more likely than men to be killed by natural disasters such
as cyclones, hurricanes, floods and heat waves, which are on the
rise as a result of climate change. A sample of 141 countries
from 1981 to 2002 found such disasters kill more women than men
or kill women at an earlier age than men. Girls and women are
responsible for collecting water and fuelwood. In the poorest
areas of the world, particul