CLIMATE CHANGE AND WOMEN RIGHTS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA : A literature review.
Santino, Ojenihun Abosede (2020)
2020
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http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020112223689
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2020112223689
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ABSTRACT
Ojenihun Abosede Santino
Climate change and women rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Pages 48 and 2 attachments
December 2020
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Master of Social Services
Community Development and Conflict Resolution
The aim of this research was to find topics that should be discussed in order to strengthen women’s right to a healthy environment. This aim was achieved by evaluating what the impact of climate change has been on Sub-Saharan African women in recent years, getting an insight to women’s daily struggle with their environment which is vulnerable and is easily affected by climate change.
The literature review study consists of 9 articles published between 2014 and 2020 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The data was analysed using an inductive thematic analysis method. The analysis on the impact of climate change on women resulted in three main categories: loss of livelihood, diminishing health and poor finances. Sub-Saharan African women experience climate change differently from men because they depend on the environment and natural resources for everyday needs such as food, firewood and water. They depend on the land for food which can also be used as a means of generating income. The data also shows that the process of getting firewood for energy and water in an environment that is vulnerable and affected by climate change impacts women’s general health negatively.
The main findings were that to strengthen women’s right to a healthy environment, women need to have equal land rights to men to improve their lives in the area of livelihood and finance. Gender equality in decision-making and women’s participation in legislature will mean implementation of climate change adaptation programs that will be beneficial to women by women. While the state can support women by enforcing some laws against the influence of culture and traditions, NGOs can also support and/or hold the government accountable to do their job if failing and fight for the rights of women against climate change.
In conclusion, land rights, socio-economic inequality, sustainable development, education, efficient climate change policies and adequate support are topics that should be discussed in order to strengthen Sub-Saharan African women’s right to a healthy environment and the result of this research can be used as a pointer for NGOs in protecting women’s right against the effect of climate change.
Keywords: climate change, environment, women, human rights, women's rights, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ojenihun Abosede Santino
Climate change and women rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Pages 48 and 2 attachments
December 2020
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Master of Social Services
Community Development and Conflict Resolution
The aim of this research was to find topics that should be discussed in order to strengthen women’s right to a healthy environment. This aim was achieved by evaluating what the impact of climate change has been on Sub-Saharan African women in recent years, getting an insight to women’s daily struggle with their environment which is vulnerable and is easily affected by climate change.
The literature review study consists of 9 articles published between 2014 and 2020 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The data was analysed using an inductive thematic analysis method. The analysis on the impact of climate change on women resulted in three main categories: loss of livelihood, diminishing health and poor finances. Sub-Saharan African women experience climate change differently from men because they depend on the environment and natural resources for everyday needs such as food, firewood and water. They depend on the land for food which can also be used as a means of generating income. The data also shows that the process of getting firewood for energy and water in an environment that is vulnerable and affected by climate change impacts women’s general health negatively.
The main findings were that to strengthen women’s right to a healthy environment, women need to have equal land rights to men to improve their lives in the area of livelihood and finance. Gender equality in decision-making and women’s participation in legislature will mean implementation of climate change adaptation programs that will be beneficial to women by women. While the state can support women by enforcing some laws against the influence of culture and traditions, NGOs can also support and/or hold the government accountable to do their job if failing and fight for the rights of women against climate change.
In conclusion, land rights, socio-economic inequality, sustainable development, education, efficient climate change policies and adequate support are topics that should be discussed in order to strengthen Sub-Saharan African women’s right to a healthy environment and the result of this research can be used as a pointer for NGOs in protecting women’s right against the effect of climate change.
Keywords: climate change, environment, women, human rights, women's rights, Sub-Saharan Africa.