Gender differentiated health impacts of environmental and climate change in Nepal

Type Working Paper
Title Gender differentiated health impacts of environmental and climate change in Nepal
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
Abstract
Nepal is one of the most vulnerable mountainous countries in the world concerning adverse
effects of climate change, despite its negligible amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions
(0.025%). Moreover, recent debates have also emerged indicating that climate change impact is
not gender neutral. Some literature related to climate change shows that women will be more
vulnerable than men to the effects of climate change because of unequal power relations and
limited access to resources and economic opportunities. Furthermore, the social roles and
responsibilities of women differ according to age, position in the family, marital status and ethnic
group. Therefore, climate change impacts are perceived differently for men and women in Nepal.
Women are heavily engaged in climate sensitive sectors and the role of women as primary caregivers
of families, especially at the time of illness means that even slight changes in access to
water, firewood and agricultural production increases their vulnerability. This paper addresses
how Nepalese women themselves experience their gender position in relation to their economic
opportunities and obstacles. Specifically, I will document the gender inequality in nutrient
intakes, disaster preparedness, and diseases burden due to their economic situations in relation to
environmental and climate change in Nepal.

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