Ane Usandizaga, Press Corps 22
Delegates representing Egypt, Haiti, and Kazakhstan at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) speak up about the struggles that women in developing countries face as a consequence of climate change.
COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN, ECOSOCs — Climate change is one of the most significant issues plaguing the world in the Twenty-First Century. Its side effects and repercussions range from disturbing climate patterns to destroying habitats and ecosystems. While all members of the human species have suffered the consequences of this crisis, climate change has wreaked particular havoc in marginalized communities, especially women in developing countries. As such, the CSW has congregated to discuss their positions and possible solutions in response to this crucial issue.
“We want to draw attention to underdeveloped countries, and see what we can do to help those countries specifically because they face the worst consequences of climate change,” said the delegate from Haiti to The NAIMUN Daily on Feb. 17.
Members of the commission stressed the importance of climate change awareness in this globalized world and remarked on the value of collaborating with other countries to reach a satisfactory consensus.
“The way that we’re [discussing] this topic in our conference shows that we’ve learned more, and we’re learning more. How we’ve seen the melting of ice caps, and articles, and stuff like that,” said the delegate of Haiti. “Everyday, we see more and more of an effect. So I think that countries will start to see that and realize that something needs to be done.”
Delegates also addressed their expectations going forward in the commission in terms of cooperation with other members.
“I think as time goes on, more people are going to see the effects of climate change and realize that it's really a problem, they need to act now. I think that there may be disagreement on solutions, but their common goal of saving the world will still be in mind,” stated the delegate of Egypt.
It is essential that countries come up with solutions that will benefit all nations in this fight to protect women troubled by climate change. Members of the commission reflected on their plans and ideas to successfully meet this goal.
“We want to promote more sustainable buildings, and just resources. So [the] future will be more sustainable. I think, like, as a developing country, there's gonna be a lot of like buildings built in the future. And we believe that making sustainable buildings… would be helpful,” said the delegate of Kazakhstan.
The intersectionality between women and the situations in developing countries took center stage as members emphasized the need for economic cooperation as a means to solve the debated topics.
“Places like Haiti don’t really have enough funds to pay for that [sustainable] stuff,” said the delegate of Haiti. “So if we could get federal funding. I think that would really help with that type of stuff.”
Further stress was made on the urgency of promoting women’s empowerment and independence, as women are severely more affected by climate change than men due to their dependency on natural resources as a means of livelihood.
“I think that one big problem is a limitation of data. Women who are in need, their voices are not being heard, because what they need is not being taken into account in a proper system. So instituting a better database, which can be spread across borders, [and] more regional areas is something that really would help,” stated the delegate of Egypt.
Throughout the next two days, members of the Commission on the Status of Women will continue to debate the harrowing topic of women and climate change, drawing special attention to women in developing countries and international cooperation, and setting a stage for tangible frameworks, insightful discussions, and meaningful research to take place.