Sisters, friends, and allies, Cambodia, a nation of rich cultural heritage and breathtaking biodiversity, is under threat. Climate change isn't just an environmental issue; it strikes at the heart of our communities, hitting the most vulnerable among us the hardest. This crisis isn't gender-neutral. Women, girls, and people with diverse SOCIESC - Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics - face the brunt of its impacts, amplifying existing inequalities. It's time to adopt an intersectional feminist approach to climate justice in Cambodia. We need to tackle these disparities and elevate the voices of those most affected.
Women Leading Climate Action
Women in rural Cambodia, often the unsung heroines, are the backbone of our communities. They manage agriculture, water, and food supplies, nurturing the land with an intimate knowledge that makes them indispensable in the fight against climate change. With 65% of our population relying on agriculture, women form a significant part of this workforce (UNDP). Yet, traditional gender roles and systemic inequalities often silence their voices in decision-making processes.
But change is in the air. Organizations like the Cambodian Women's Network for Development (CWND)Â are lighting the way, championing women's leadership in climate action. They're equipping women with education, resources, and platforms to raise their voices and drive sustainable, community-led solutions to environmental challenges.
"In our communities, women are often the first to feel the impacts of climate change. They bear the brunt of extreme weather, which affects their ability to provide for their families. It's vital that we include women's voices in climate action to ensure sustainable solutions that benefit everyone." - Sokha Ngin, Cambodian environmental activist and founder of the Cambodian Women’s Network for Environment
Confronting Gender-Based Violence in the Climate Crisis
We cannot ignore the dark side of climate change: the rise in gender-based violence (GBV). During environmental stress, such as natural disasters, resource scarcity and extreme heat, women and girls become more vulnerable. Displacement due to flooding or drought leads to overcrowded conditions and weakened social structures, escalating incidents of GBV. LICADHOÂ has reported a significant spike in domestic violence during such times.
Addressing GBV in the context of climate change isn't just about immediate protection and support for survivors. It means integrating GBV prevention into climate adaptation and disaster response plans. We need to create safe spaces, ensure access to resources, and make gender equality a cornerstone of our climate policies.
Protecting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
The intersection of climate change and SRHR is crucial. Environmental stressors disrupt healthcare services, limiting access to essential SRHR services and exacerbating health inequalities. Extreme weather events can damage healthcare infrastructure, making it difficult for women to access contraception, prenatal care, and other vital services. The World Health Organization (WHO)Â reports increased maternal and infant mortality rates during climate-related disasters.
To ensure SRHR amidst climate change, we must strengthen healthcare systems to withstand environmental shocks. We must advocate for policies that protect and promote women's health and rights in every situation, recognizing comprehensive SRHR services as a fundamental aspect of climate justice.
Supporting Women with Disabilities and Diverse SOGIESCÂ
Our fight for climate justice must highlight the compounded barriers faced by women with disabilities and those with diverse SOGIESC. These groups often struggle to access food, water, and essential healthcare during extreme weather events, leading to heightened food insecurity and economic instability (ActionAid Cambodia).
Social stigma and discrimination further marginalize these individuals, excluding them from decision-making processes and often overlooking their needs in climate strategies. The Cambodian Disabled People's Organization (CDPO)Â emphasizes that during natural disasters, they receive less timely information and support, increasing their risk and vulnerability.
Additionally, the intersection of disability and diverse SOGIESC with gender increases the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). LICADHO reports a rise in GBV cases during environmental stress, with these communities particularly at risk due to their heightened vulnerability and dependence on others.
National Climate Policies lack a Gender lens
Cambodia's national climate policies, while comprehensive in scope, lack a clear gender lens.Â
The Cambodia Climate Change Strategic Plan (CCCSP) 2014-2023 addresses climate resilience and adaptation across various sectors but does not specifically focus on gender-specific issues or climate justice for women and marginalized groups.. Similarly, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) aims to integrate climate adaptation measures into national and sectoral policies, highlighting vulnerable communities in general without explicitly addressing the unique challenges faced by women and gender diverse people​. The Phnom Penh Sustainable City Plan also falls short in explicitly defining and committing to urban resilience for the most vulnerable populations, including women and marginalized communities​ (Frontiers, 2022)​.
While these frameworks lay the foundation for climate action, they do not adequately consider the intersecting impacts of climate change on different genders, necessitating stronger advocacy for inclusive and gender-responsive climate policies.
The Path Forward
Achieving climate justice in Cambodia requires a steadfast commitment to intersectional feminism, which consider the interconnected nature of social categorizations like gender, race, class, and ethnicity, and how these intersections shape unique experiences of oppression and privilege. Addressing the multifaceted challenges of climate justice requires a comprehensive approach that includes targeted interventions to support women with disabilities and those with diverse SOGIESC. Integrating their needs into climate adaptation and disaster response plans, providing accessible resources and information, and ensuring their active participation in policy-making are essential steps towards achieving inclusive climate justice.
Here's how we can move forward:
Elevating Women's Voices:Â Ensure women and gender-inclusive people are included at all levels of climate decision-making.
Addressing GBV and SRHR: Integrate GBV prevention and SRHR services into climate adaptation and disaster response strategies.
Supporting Grassroots Movements:Â Back local organizations and movements that empower women and marginalized communities to lead climate action.
Promoting Gender-Responsive Policies: Advocate for climate policies that explicitly address gender disparities and promote equality.
"As women, we are deeply connected to the land and natural resources that sustain our families and communities. Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a matter of justice. We need policies that recognize our role and support our efforts to protect our environment and livelihoods." - Sokha Ngin, Cambodian environmental activist and founder of the Cambodian Women’s Network for Environment
By centering the experiences and leadership of women and gender diverse people, Cambodia can foster a more just and resilient society. Our path to climate justice is intertwined with the fight for gender equality. Only through an intersectional feminist lens can we achieve true progress for women in all their diversity.
Call to Action
Let's unite and support Cambodian women and feminist movements in their fight for climate justice. Volunteer and/or donate to local civil society organisations, share their digital content, educate yourself on the intersection of gender and climate change, and advocate for inclusive and equitable climate policies in your community. Together, we can create a future where both people and the planet thrive.
Join the movement. Take action now.
Comentarios