Deepening conversations and awareness around the intersection of climate change and GBV

Dear World Pulse Community, hope this invite finds you well.

In line with the 16 days of activism against GBV and in the spirit of the Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP28) happening in Dubai, Development Impact Pathfinders Initiative (Devimpath) in partnership with Centre for 21st Century Issues (21st) is inviting you to a virtual workshop with the theme: Deepening awareness and conversations around the intersection of climate change and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Climate change is considered the worst threat to the planet and humanity worldwide. In most developing countries, climate change challenges socioeconomic development and impedes achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Though climate change affects the entire population, women and girls suffer the most due to their heavy dependence on natural resources that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Research shows that during a climate disaster, women and girls are 14 times more likely to be harmed, and even when life returns for others after the disaster, women and girls who survive may face increased gender inequality and risks of GBV. The consequence of climate change-induced disasters could mean double victimization and a multiplier of risks for women and girls who are already facing increased vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Flooding, drought, and other climate change-induced disasters may bring additional workload to women and girls, making it more difficult for them to respond to domestic demands. In that case, household tension that results in domestic violence may increase. Women and girls are also more likely to be coerced into sexual exploitation in exchange for goods and services in times of resource scarcity. Additionally, when families are not able to meet basic needs, the risk of girl-child marriage can increase significantly.

In Nigeria, discussions on gender and climate change have been ongoing. A National Action Plan on Gender and Climate Change has been developed to advance women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and promote gender-responsive climate policy. However, GBV and violence against women and girls are rarely discussed in relation to climate change. The questions are:

1. In what way(s) does or can climate change increase GBV risks?

2. Can a just climate change solution be achieved without an effective GBV response system?

3. Can a synergistic action for climate change and GBV open up new investment and empowerment opportunities for women and girls who are victims or survivors of GBV?

4. How may synergistic actions be used to promote the implementation of gender responsive and sustainable adaptation and mitigation initiatives that will minimize risks associated with climate change on women and girls?

Join us tomorrow as we share evidence, correlations and deepen conversations around the intersection of GBV and climate change with the aim of amplifying the call to end gender-based violence and forge a new front for effective integration of GBV response mechanisms into climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes.

Registration link: bit.ly/16gbv2023

Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Time: 12noon to 3:30pm

Thank you in advance for your participation.