Women vulnerable to violence during and after climate change-related disasters
What is it about?
When climate disasters happen, women and girls are particularly vulnerable. For example, a natural disaster may mean they lose their home. Without this protection and privacy, they are at greater risk of sexual violence. This study looked at a range of information sources. The researchers suggest that there is a growing problem of climate-related problems leading to sexual violence against women. This study also found that there is currently no international law to deal with sexual violence against women during natural disasters triggered by climate change. Some progress was made at COP25, when the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted the ‘Gender Action Plan’ and the ‘Lima Work Programme on Gender’.
Why is it important?
KEY TAKEAWAY: International organizations need to work quickly to develop or adopt action plans focused on reducing sexual violence against women during and after climate change-related disasters.