Women's voice should be involved in climate adaptation

PUTRAJAYA - Women should be included in decision-making processes related to climate adaptation and mitigation as they are also disproportionately impacted by climate change, said the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

Speaking at the 30th edition of the Associated Country Women Of The World (ACWW) Triennial World Conference, Tengku Hassanal said women’s voices should be heard at all stages of decision-making from planning to implementation level.

"It is also important to ensure that women have access to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, and that their health needs are taken into account, in climate change adaption and mitigation efforts,” he said at the launching ceremony.

The event was graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, and also in attendance was the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

Tengku Hassanal said that ACWW had highlighted that climate change could have a significant impact, especially on women's health particularly where natural disasters are frequent and severe.

Therefore, he said addressing the gender-specific impacts of climate change would create a more equitable and sustainable solution for all.

"This is work that ACWW has been doing at the local, national and international levels and will continue to do well into the future. You have my support and best wishes,” he said.

Also present at the event were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

ACWW was founded in 1929 to bring together rural women and their organisations across the globe and seeks to address the challenges faced due to community isolation, discrimination, and lack of standing in political processes.

ACWW's membership spans 82 countries, and since 1947, the association had passed over 180 policy resolutions by popular vote. - BERNAMA