SUVA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Climate change and disasters have impacted all women differently, a Fijian government official said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a three-day workshop on Strengthening's Women's Resilience to Climate Change and Disaster Risk in the Fijian capital city of Suva, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women and Children Jennifer Poole said on Wednesday that women also have an unrealized impact on green jobs and environmental activities.
She stressed the importance of the separation of women from opportunities to tap resources and exercise power often prevented them from accessing climate-smart technology and jobs.
Poole highlighted that the workshop is designed to build the evidence base to demonstrate that government is strengthened when it has women's participation and leadership in climate change and disaster risk management.
Pacific women's role in food production, whether through subsistence farming to feed their families or growing cash crops for income, is an indispensable part of food production and consumption practices.
Given the unique knowledge and skills held by women, development planning for the region needs to acknowledge and effectively utilize women's contributions in order to adapt to climate change impacts.
Despite the critical role that women play in food production, they often face barriers to accessing agricultural land, training, credit and services. The agricultural production that women and girls perform also tends to be considered part of women's household responsibilities.
