Mind the Gap

Climate change, food security and women farmers in Asia.

- Tamara Nair

Climate change will affect all of humanity: men and women, young and old, rich and poor. If there’s one thing that looks past race, religion, age and income status, it’s the effects of climate change. Of course, let’s not overlook the other living organisms – all flora and fauna. The impact of our changing planet will affect them, too.

But these effects will be felt quite differently by women – female food producers in particular. Due to traditional gender roles that enforce that women collect water, wood for fuel, and care for family members, women farmers have very little opportunity to learn new skills, access development opportunities, or even attend to their own health needs.

In the midst of the expected (and unexpected) changes in climate variability and its impacts on anthropogenic systems – such as our water supply and food production – it is heartening to note that the preamble of the Paris Agreement stresses the importance of helping developing nations reduce emissions and cope through adaptation, from the smallest to the largest changes. However, organisations such as Oxfam have come out to say that the agreement falls short in protecting rural women farmers.