Loren: Gender and Climate Change are Intertwined

THE PROBLEM OF CLIMATE CHANGE IS A CHALLENGE TO WOMANHOOD, SAID NP-NPC-LDP VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE LOREN LEGARDA TODAY AS THE COUNTRY JOINS THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.
“Ang issue ng climate change at gender ay magkakabit. A starving mother carrying her ailing child is often the public face of famines and food shortages.Mothers are the ones who are pressed to produce food and water for the family during times of drought or disaster brought by climate change. Ang mga nanay ang umuutang para pambili ng bigas para sa mga namamatay sa gutom na anak. Ang mga nanay ang nagpapakamatay minsan pag gutom na gutom ang mga bata,” said Loren.
“Ngayon naman, sa panahon ng El Nino, pag tigang ang lupa at walang ani si tatay, sino ang uutang para sa matrikula sa Hunyo? Sino ang hahanap ng tubig para mainom ng kanyang mga uhaw at gutom na mga anak? Ang mga ina at kababaihan.”
Loren likewise pointed out that women have distinct nutritional needs that make coping with natural disasters tougher and harsher.
“All these realities should lead to a single resolve: the efforts to combat climate change should be gender sensitive and gender responsive,” Loren stressed.
Loren has warned the country as early as three years ago of an impending water crisis, which will be a national security issue. She called for support systems for poor families who are most affected by the crisis.
Further, the Senator said that medical assistance should be given to families especially pregnant women and possibly provide free medicines and vitamins to give people higher immune system as well as promote healthy diet thru promotion of vegetables.
Moreover, government should include in the economic stimulus package projects for the sustainable conservation of water resources and the cleaning of rivers, starting with the Pasig River and its tributaries.
“We should include all other endangered major waterways in other cities and regions of our archipelago to provide clean water to other urban and rural areas,” said Loren who also chairs the Senate Committee on Agri and Food.
“These are intertwined issues for which the government needs to present viable solutions at the same time provide constructive employment and conserve our fresh water and ocean resources, improve the environment, boost food productivity and enhance the lives of millions of families who depend on these resources for their livelihood,” said Loren.