The government is taking measures to protect women in any disaster: Bangladesh Environment Minister
Md. Shahab Uddin, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Bangladesh, said, “Despite limited resources, Bangladesh has taken many practical steps to protect women at risk of natural disasters. The government is making every effort to ensure gender equality.
The constitution of Bangladesh has given an equal opportunity to women in all walks of life. Bangladesh has formulated various policies, laws, and guidelines to ensure gender equality. The government has introduced a gender budget in the national budget system.
Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, women now occupy many top positions in the country’s civil services.”
The Minister spoke at the Gender Caucus High-Level Ceremony of the 15th Conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) held in Abidjan, organized by First Lady Dominic Uttara of Ivory Coast.
The environment minister further said, “The risks of climate change adversely affect women and result in their loss of life and livelihood. Climate change is hampering Bangladesh’s sustainable food security and creating environmental catastrophes for women’s health.
Nevertheless, women are playing an essential role in reducing land erosion. Women contribute to land reclamation, protection, and improvement in various ways.
Several initiatives adopted under the Eighth Five Year Plan of Bangladesh will help alleviate the severe problem of land degradation in the country and support the global agenda of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“We seek international co-operation and support through the UNCCD Secretariat and the Global Mechanism to improve the situation of the affected people, especially women,” he added.
In the Gender Caucus, Ivory Coast First Lady Dominic Uttara and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed have released a new study on the differential effects of desertification, land degradation, and drought on men and women.
The study sheds light on the unequal impact that women and girls face when land degrades and how they can be at the forefront of global land reclamation efforts if given the opportunity.
