Women at the frontline of climate change

One important lesson in advancing gender issues and analysis is the importance and critical difference between gender awareness, gender promotion and gender analysis. Not all the same actors, approaches and methods may be involved in creating greater awareness of the importance of gender and climate change adaptation issues, actively promoting it, or scientifically and systematically analysing the differentiated impacts, resilience and adaptation strategies of women and men (Verma, 2001). Gender awareness and advancement

and gender power relations between differently positioned women and men, and of the ways in which climate change exacerbates these inequalities and relations (Brody et al ., 2008; Verma, 2001). For these reasons, it is important that women actively and equitably participate in policy and decision-making processes within their household, community and national and international institutions (both customary and statutory), so that their knowledge, contributions, agency and work are valued and their capacities, confidence and voice are boosted and enhanced.

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