for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
(WOCAN) said that the greatest challenge is the lack of
recognition and value of women’s inputs to farming systems
across Asia and the developing world. In light of this bias,
which contributes to the persistent and dominant view
of the farmer as male, and to gender-specific constraints,
women farmers are normally seen as “farmers’ wives” rather
than economic producers in their own right. Women are
responsible for between 60 to 80 percent of agricultural
production across Asia, and yet receive a fraction of the land,
credit and inputs (such as improved seeds and fertilisers),
agricultural training and information compared to men.
The question arises, then, what can be done to protect and
aid female food producers in Asia in the face of an uncertain
climate future? Small-scale farms produce around 80 percent
of Southeast Asia’s food, and women account for 43 percent
of the agricultural labour force. In some countries, such as
Thailand, they account for the bulk of agricultural labour,
performing almost 90 percent of the work carried out in rice
fields. And yet, women farmers are not easily compensated in
times of natural or financial crises with resource allocation in
the forms of land and capital. They also tend to be excluded
from rebuilding and rehabilitative strategies.Climate change will affect all of humanity: men and
women, young and old, rich and poor. If there’s one thing
that looks past race, religion, age and income status, it’s the
effects of climate change. Of course, let’s not overlook the
other living organisms – all flora and fauna. The impact of
our changing planet will affect them, too.
But these effects will be felt quite differently by women
- female food producers in particular. Due to traditional
gender roles that enforce that women collect water, wood for
fuel, and care for family members, women farmers have very
little opportunity to learn new skills, access development
opportunities, or even attend to their own health needs.
In the midst of the expected (and unexpected) changes
in climate variability and its impacts on anthropogenic
systems – such as our water supply and food production –
it is heartening to note that the preamble of the Paris
Agreement stresses the importance of helping developing
nations reduce emissions and cope through adaptation, from
the smallest to the largest changes. However, organisations
such as Oxfam have come out to say that the agreement falls
short in protecting rural women farmers.
Speaking at the Sustainable Business Forum in Singapore,
Jeannette Gurung, Executive Director of Women Organising
IMAGE © CHOR SOKUNTHEA / WORLD BANK