Impact of Climate Change Impact of Climate Change On Women Economic Empowerment

Marita P. Rodriguez, CERD2010 PFLCW 8th General AssemblySison Auditorium, Provincial Capitol, Lingayen, PangasinanNovember 10-12, 2010

Center for Empowerment and Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, Inc.Resource Development, Inc.• An NGO that is 32 years old now• Envisions empowered, self-reliant coastal communities sustainably living in harmony with abundant and diverse coastal and marine environment• Facilitating the emergence of sustainable, vibrant and diverse coastal communities of empowered men and women fisherfolk forms the core of its philosophy.

On Women Vulnerability to On Women Vulnerability to Climate, Change CERD Believes Climate, Change CERD Believes that:that: Women are already vulnerable because

the current relations advantages men more than women- in the family, education, employment and livelihoods, in institutions and structures

Their vulnerability is heightened by climate change; therefore it is important to know their nuanced situation

Women not just victims; they are capable of contributing to solutions and thus should be involved in decision making processes

Biri

Mondragon

Hinatuan

Marihatag

Current CERD AreasCurrent CERD AreasCERD is

currently in 4 municipalities, namely Biri and Mondragon in Northern Samar, and Hinatuan and Marihatag in Surigao del Sur

The Philippines is naturally The Philippines is naturally vulnerable….vulnerable….

There are 7 main basins of tropical cyclone formation, and the Western North Pacific Ocean is by far the most active basin. Tropical storm activity in this region frequently affects China, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan. This basin accounts for one third of all tropical cyclone activity in the world

• Archipelagic country composed of 7,100 islands and islets• Bounded by 3 large bodies of water: South China Sea, Pacific Ocean and Celebes Sea

The Philippines is an archipelagic The Philippines is an archipelagic countrycountry

The Women in FisheriesThe Women in Fisheries•Doing 50-90% of fishing activities from pre to post harvest•Also earns income by gathering shells and other marine products in mangrove areas, seagrass beds, reef flat areas and beach areas, as well as seaweed farming

Challenges Faced by Challenges Faced by WomenWomen

•Fish catch is declining due to coastal and marine resources degradation• Women have the burden of seeking additional sources of income. With the destruction of mangroves and seagrass beds, productive and reproductive work of women increased; lead to time poverty

Experienced Impacts of Climate Experienced Impacts of Climate ChangeChange•By year 2000 - changing rainy and hot weather patterns. Amihan has hot days. Lenten season which used to be hot now has heavy rains•More intense typhoons, making it difficult to go out fishing•Diseases and foul smell in some species of fish like kikiro, budas, danggit•It is more difficult to gather shells because they bury themselves in the sand, believed to be caused by intense heat•Tidal levels continue to increase such that coconut trees fell due to erosion

Increasing tidal level threatens dwelling places, burdening the women who are in charge of maintaining the household

Loss of mangrove areas also meant loss of income for the women

Fisherwomen patrolling the seas

Women Initiatives to Adapt to Climate Women Initiatives to Adapt to Climate ChangeChange

Women are involved in the establishment of Marine Protected Areas

They also participate in roving and apprehension, and are not afraid to face fishing violators

Because mangrove areas are important source of income for them, they also protect these areas through mangrove reforestation and establishment of Women-Managed Area

Fisherwomen doing mangrove reforestation

Women contribute to family income by having their own livelihood activities in addition to their participation in fishing activities

ChallengesChallengesIncreasing capacities of communities to secure

livelihoodsAddress food insecurity, unsecured settlement

and health problems to lessen the impact of climate change on women

Consider women and gender concerns in mitigating effects and impacts of disasters caused by climate change

Recognize role and participation of women in identifying measures to address problems

Engage government to improve framework for emergency response to include specific needs of women and children

Lobby for the recognition of differential impacts of climate change up to the international level

SummarySummary Women are vulnerable due to time

and economic poverty, as well as limited involvement/ participation in community management

Said vulnerabilities are exacerbated by climate change through intensified need to engage in livelihood coupled with need to address other emerging concerns in the reproductive sphere, e.g. health, food and well-being, including security of settlements

However women also have inherent capacities to adapt - They have knowledge of existing resources, and

have the capacity to manage these resources (e.g.WMAs)

They are organized (or can be organized) Have expertise not only in productive work but

also in reproductive work like health/caregiving Adaptation strategies should therefore

include building on the capacities of women through their involvement in community governance

Adaptation strategies to be meaningful for women, should address both their productive and reproductive concerns such as livelihoods, food security, health and general well-being